Hilltop Views S t .
E d w a r d ’ s
U n i v e r s i t y
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Volume 26 | Issue 1
Class of 2013 largest in school history Claire Cella This year, despite an ailing economy, St. Edward’s University welcomed the largest freshman class in its 132 year history. Pending the final headcount, the freshman class of 2013 totals 757, 16 more than last year’s total of 741. Tracy Manier, director of admissions, said that the university has seen steady growth in the incoming class every year for the past nine years. “A lot of private colleges are down in enrollment, even before the economic crisis,” she said. “We’ve been an unusual school in that we’ve seen such
consistent growth.” The preparation for this year’s incoming class left directors and counselors of admissions offices concerned and uncertain how the unstable economy would affect enrollment numbers, especially at the country’s more expensive private institutions. To compensate, many universities targeted a much larger and broader pool of potential applicants. Mike Rossman, director of admissions at Southwestern University, said he witnessed one of the biggest pushes for enrollment at the university since he started working there about 30 years ago. “Every school went into this
“I will say it was a very different year in college admissions” -Director of Admissions Tracy Manier year with the question, ‘What is it going to be? What will this incredibly unusual economic circumstance bring?’” Rossman said. Southwestern, a smaller private university in Georgetown, enrolled 375 incoming freshmen this year, compared to 349 last year. Other small private universities in Texas saw rises in their freshmen classes as well, according to Forbes. com. Trinity University in
San Antonio welcomed 656 freshmen compared to 631 last year, while the freshmen class at Baylor University in Waco jumped from 2,732 to 3,062. But not all institutions experienced increased enrollment. Fort Worth’s Texas Christian University’s enrollment dropped over 200 students from 1,644 in 2008 to 1,398 in 2009. The freshman class at St. Mary’s University in San An-
tonio also fell, as the university enrolled 29 fewer students this year with a total of 537 compared to 566 in 2008. “I will say it was a very different year in college admissions,” said Manier. “It was harder to predict the outcome.” Most of the work done by colleges admissions offices is based on historic trends, which allow counselors to analyze how students have responded to certain aid offers in past. A noticeable difference this year, Manier said, was a sharp increase in the number of applications received. St. Edward’s received 200 more applications for admis-
sion than usual. A majority of these additional applicants, however, were what are called softer applicants, or students who apply to a long list of schools just to see where they can get the most financial aid or scholarship money from. These students are less likely to actually enroll, Manier said. Similarly, Rossman said Southwestern experienced an increase in the number of students paying their deposit and then withdrawing over the summer. Still, both universities managed to increase their enrollment, despite the economic DESPITE, 3
University welcomes new faculty Brian Brown The members of the new freshman class are not the only people in their first year at St. Edward’s University, as several new additions to key administrative positions were filled this fall. Over the summer, David Waldron was named vice president of Information Technology, Walter Pearson was named dean of the New College, Judy Leavell was named interim dean of the School of Education, and Elias Diaz Martinez has taken over as director of the
Kozmetzsky Center for Excellence in Global Finance. Waldron moved to Austin from Ohio only four weeks ago to fill the IT position, for which he can contribute 20 years of experience. Before joining the university, Waldron was employed as the chief information technology officer at the College of Wooster in Ohio. At St. Edward’s, he will be responsible for ensuring the university is technologically up-to-date and aiding faculty in using technology in new ways in the classroom. Waldron said St. Edward’s
Entertainment: Enjoy the summer movie roundup. Page 6
appealed to him because of its uniqueness and its ability to draw a diverse group of faculty and students through a devoted openness to academic exploration. “[I am happy to join a university] that has enjoyed a great deal of success over the last few years, the last couple of decades,” Waldron said. In addition, Waldron said his transition to the university has been smooth because of the cooperative atmosphere and eagerness of other faculty members to be accommodating. Pearson assumed the posi-
tion of New College dean after leaving his previous job as an associate academic dean, assistant professor and director of Evening, Weekend and Graduate programs at Simpson College in Iowa, where he worked since 1995. At St. Edward’s, Pearson will be responsible for overseeing New College, the undergraduate degree completion program offered at St. Edward’s for students over the age of 25. Leavell, although not a new face to St. Edward’s, has assumed the role of interim
Sports: New men’s basketball coach named. Page 10
KEY, 4
Cory Hahn
Students gathered on the Main Building lawn for Hillfest.
Viewpoints: SGA President addresses the student body. Page 14
Page 2 | NEWS
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 | Hilltop Views
Doyle Hall re-opens after renovations Kristina Schenck After 10 months and $7.8 million in renovations, Doyle Hall reopened just in time for the start of the fall 2009 semester. Designed by architectural firm Specht Harpman, the 49-year-old structure was completely restored, and more than 8,500 square feet were added between Premont Hall and Doyle Hall. In addition to three new classrooms, a new coffee shop operated by Texenza and a new psychology laboratory with observation rooms, the former residence hall is now home to the offices of the School of Behavioral Sciences and the office of Human Resources. The school was previously housed in Holy Cross Hall, and Human Resources moved over from neighboring Premont Hall.
“These three classrooms really freed up classroom space,” said John Cotter, assistant professor in the School of Behavioral Sciences. Specht Harpman designed the renovation with efforts to reuse as much of the existing building and materials as possible. The concrete beneath the original floor was polished, and the ceiling on the ground floor was removed to reveal the corrugated concrete frame of the building. Members of the university community convened on Sept. 1 to commemorate the renovation and the grand opening of Doyle’s new doors. “We try to take existing buildings that still have life in them and convert them into something new,” University President George Martin said in his speech given at the
Kateri Kugelmann
Brenda Vallance, dean of BSS, addresses the crowd at Doyle.
opening ceremony. The hall was renovated not only to make it more functional, but to make the building more environmentallyand economically-friendly. Several features, such as a white reflective roof and an aluminum sun shade, decrease the amount of heat entering the building, which
will reduce the need for air conditioning and cut overall energy costs. The native foliage planted in the courtyard will absorb less water and conserve irrigation. The windows facing north and west now look out onto a small courtyard where tables and chairs circle a large live oak tree in the center. The
courtyard is intended as a gathering place for students and faculty. Doyle Hall was formerly a residence hall and renovations on the building began last fall while students were still living there. The transition of student residents to Hunt Hall, which was still being completed early last spring, was also problematic. Leslie Ethridge, a sophomore who lived in Doyle and then in Hunt last year, said construction on both dorms was extremely disruptive. “They started construction around Doyle while students were living there, waking them up as early as 8 a.m. with noisy construction,” she said. “They would also have to turn the water off and on to move around pipes.” Once she moved into Hunt Hall, she said she was equally disappointed.
“The hot water did not work for the first week and the laundry rooms and computer labs were not ready for another two weeks,” Ethridge said. The issues prompted thenfreshman Matthew Ortiz to begin a petition to seek compensation for the inconvenience. Director of Residence Life Dave Rozeboom said that students were given a housing discount in anticipation of the issues involving the construction. “Residents of the new complex were given a housing discount,” Rozeboom said. “Although residents did not see that money, it nonetheless was factored in the build to account for the living conditions.” kschenc@stedwards.edu
University programs and offices receive grants Katheryn Johnson Over the summer, St. Edward’s University received federal funding for key campus services, including the College Assistance Migrant Program, the Biology Department and the University Police Department. The funding will be directed toward improving the university’s standards and preserving academic programs. CAMP CAMP received more than $2 million from the Department of Education to be allocated over the next five years in order to financially assist future freshmen CAMP students. Esther Yacono, director of CAMP, said decreases in federal funds over the past couple of years have threatened the university’s ability to fi-
nance CAMP, but the new grant will allow St. Edward’s the opportunity to continue to help. CAMP was established in 1972 and is the oldest program of its kind in the country, according to the St. Edward’s Web site. This year marks the 37th year CAMP will be able to offer the opportunity for higher education to the children of migrant farm workers by providing academic services and tuition assistance. “CAMP is an example of the St. Edward’s mission,” Yacono said. Biology Department The Biology Department within the School of Natural Sciences received a grant totaling over $295,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The grant will fund the work of 18 biology ma-
CAMP received more than $2 million... jors in developmental biology and microbiology research projects over the next three years. Professor Lisa Goering is thrilled about the opportunities it presents to student. “It’s a great way for biology students to learn science by doing science,” Goering said. “The cool thing is they get to be a part of the process from beginning to end.” Professor Patricia Baynham said the Biology Department is currently recruiting freshman and sophomore biology majors for research positions beginning in October. Students accepted into the program will enroll in a class this spring focused on strength-
ening research techniques and project ideas. Paid research will begin in the summer for six weeks and then students will spend an additional week in New Orleans at the Agricultural Research Service, interacting with scientists. During the following summer, research will be conducted for eight weeks at the University of Texas at Austin. UPD The University Police Department hopes to use the $5,425 waiver fee it received from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies to help
it become a fully accredited agency. In order to achieve accreditation, the department must comply with over 500 internationally recognized standards. Once these standards are met, UPD will undergo the same training process any other major police department receives. Police Chief Rudolph Rendon said accreditation will help improve UPD’s services on campus. “[It] will give the school a professional image and organization,” he said. “St. Edward’s will be able to provide the same services you get from the Austin Police Department.” UPD will follow the same standard operating procedures as followed by officers across the globe, allowing the department to attract person-
nel who are seeking competitive salary and higher work standards. Before working for St. Edward’s, Rendon worked for CALEA as an assessor and successfully guided both Harris County and Houston ISD Police Departments through the accreditation process. kjohnso3@stedwards.edu
Hilltop Views | Wednesday, September 9, 2009
NEWS | Page 3
Campus community mourns loss of student Bryce Bencivengo St. Edward’s University junior John “Quatro” Coleman Kiley IV died Aug. 23. He was 23. Kiley drowned while visiting his father in Osterville, Mass. He joined the university as a transfer student in the fall of 2007 and was a bioinformatics major. Kiley was born on July 23, 1986 in Boston, Mass. and moved to Fort Worth later in his life, attending Fort Worth Country Day School. Before coming to St. Edward’s, Kiley graduated from St. George’s School in Rhode Island. He often returned to Massachusetts where he engaged in his favorite passion, sailing. He spent many of his summers sailing competitively and recreationally, as well as teaching the sport to others at the
John Kiley Courtesy of Kiley family
Wianno Yacht Club, which is located near where he died. The campus community was notified of Kiley’s death on Aug. 25 via a direct e-mail from Dean of Students Lisa Kirkpatrick. “We always look at each tragedy like this on a case by
case basis,” Kirkpatrick said. “We don’t always notify the entire student body every time this happens, but this happened just as everyone was returning to school. This person was expected to be in class, so we deemed it necessary to inform the entire St. Edward’s community.” Kirkpatrick also said that students who may be struggling with Kiley’s death should seek help with the Counseling Center on campus. As the news spread of Kiley’s death, his Facebook page became a memorial to him from his friends and loved ones. Those who shared Kiley’s interest in bioinformatics were extremely saddened by the loss. “You never like to have a student die, but this is es-
pecially sad because John was just hitting his prime,” Charles Houser, Kiley’s faculty adviser, said. “John was hitting his stride. He was a special kid who was going places. He’s definitely someone you would have read about.” Senior Samantha Cruz worked with Kiley this summer on campus and is mourning his death. “He was so smart, and you
could tell he was going to do something big with his life.,” Cruz said. “He was also always willing to help me with anything I was having trouble with. He was so full of life and always happy. ” A memorial service was held Aug. 28 at the Wianno Yacht Club. From there, Kiley’s ashes were spread at sea. Kiley is survived by his father, John Coleman Kiley III, his mother, Deborah Scaling
Kiley, his sister, Marka Kiley, his grandparents, Sherry McKnight and Mike and Bettie Galloway, and his girlfriend, Alison Rodman. bbenciv@stedwards.edu
Despite economy, freshmen class grows Continued from page 1
odds pushing against them. Manier attributes the burgeoning freshman class to a number of factors, including tuition costs. “We said going into last year that we were very well positioned because St. Edward’s is a moderately priced private institution competing with much more expensive institutions,” she said. “We’ve built a strong admissions program and have been very proactive in
articulating to students that a private education here can be affordable. I think we were successful in counteracting the notions of country’s financial crisis.” Admissions, Manier said, is both an art and science. Manier said that much can rely on historic data and trends, but it also takes judging and balancing the feedback received from applicants, the financial aid office and admissions counselors. “We’ve become very
skilled at leveraging our merit scholarships and need-based financial aid,” Manier said. “We are better at predicting how students will respond and tweaking those amounts to distribute it wisely among students.” Manier said that she is pleased with the results of the tweaking and recruiting of the freshman class. “We hit the sweet spot,” she said. ccella@stedwards.edu
Statistics -Total number of students admitted by St. Edward’s University: 1970 Total number of students who deposited by the May 1 deadline: 720 Total number of students on the waitlist: 299 Total number of students who withdrew deposit since June 1: 54 Percentage of students who received financial aid: Approx. 89%
A Glance at the Class of 2013 -Gender: 62.5% female; 37.5% male Diversity: 58% Caucasian; 32% Hispanic; 5% African American; 4% Asian American; 1% Native American Average SAT score: 1128 Geographic locations: In-state: 89% Out-of-state: 8% International: 3% Number of athletes: Approx. 30 funded athletes; no data on walk-on athletes available. Percentages detailing religious affiliations and academic majors were not available.
Page 4 | News
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 | Hilltop Views
New grading scale debated Megan Ganey At the end of last spring, the Collegium, comprised of all St. Edward’s University faculty, voted to approve the implementation of a plus/minus grading scale. Currently, the Faculty Senate is trying to select a scale to determine how many points will be attributed to various grades. The vote to change the scale was based on research collected by a faculty subcommittee, which started in the fall of 2007. A final report was submitted on Jan. 30, 2009. According to the report, “the Committee’s task is not to recommend a course of action. Its primary charge is an agnostic examination of plus/minus grading.” “It is simply putting information out to let the faculty decide,” said Peter Austin, chair of the committee. According to Austin, the report came from a consensus that St. Edward’s is a growing institution. “We [the committee] think that St. Ed’s is getting better and we want to make its degree worth as much as possible,” Austin said. Based on research compiled in the report, about 80 percent of the American Association of Universities use some form of a plus/minus grading system. Also, seven of the eight other Holy Cross institutions have a similar grading scale in place. Despite the systems popularity, it is still a cause for concern for some students and faculty. “It will only complicate things,” said senior Haley Tidwell. Austin said the scale would most likely be a gradual phase in, so juniors and seniors would likely not be affected. The Undergraduate Bulletin also says “the provisions of the Bulletin for the year during
which a student first enrolls will apply until his/her graduation.” “If we violate this [Bulletin], it’s like breaking a promise,” said Jack Musselman, a member of the committee. Sophomore Sarah Gilles agrees. “It’s not really fair to us,” she said. “I’m applying for law school and that affects me getting into that and I was told one thing and now I am being told another, I’m not okay with that.” Professor James Payne has been a leading opponent to the scale. Payne said the new system presents negative consequences for students with the overall grade of a 92, which would be reflected as a 3.2 GPA, whereas a student from a school without plus/minus grading would still have an overall grade of 92, but a GPA of 4.0. “GPAs are relevant and important factors in determining admission to graduate school,” Payne said. Although Payne disagrees with the proposed grading scale, he said he believes students would appreciate a distinction between an 80 and an 89, which as it stands currently are both Bs. Austin said he contacted graduate admission programs at liberal arts institutions personally and said it was a nonissue. Graduate admissions programs at medical and law institutions were not looked at in depth. Austin also said that he does not know how this change will affect graduate rates, scholarships and financial aid. “It is important questions like these that take a year or two to institute,” Austin said. “We are just taking it one step at a time.” mganey@stedwards.edu
SGA ready to begin new year Alex Lamb With the summer recess over, the St. Edward’s University’s Student Government Association held its first meeting of the semester Sept 3. President Meghan Keuntz chaired the meeting which covered the approval of six cabinet nominees, officer reports and the introduction of Senate Resolution 101, a bill from the Student Representation committee seeking to implement a plus/minus grading system
for the 2011-2012 school year. The six cabinet nominees were all approved unanimously, including Nicholette Maiers, chief of staff; Marisvel Solis, senate secretary, Bailey Kelsey, press director, Sammi Cook, events director, Ginny Torok, marketing director, and Tristan Hallman, chief justice of the Student Court of Appeals. Officer reports yielded little news besides the announcement of an open senior senator seat. Marcos
Kozmetsky Center gets new director Following the departure of Margaret Crahan from the Kozmetsky Center, the university hired Elisa Diaz Martinez, who had been serving as Senior Advisor on the Economic Board to the Prime Minister of Spain, to fill the position. As Senior Advisor, Martinez was responsible for advising the Prime Minister on matters of social policy, health care, education and research development. She said her job as the new director of the Kozmetsky Center at St. Edward’s will greatly connect with her previous experience. Martinez also said she is thankful to Crahan who has been extremely influential in helping her learn the responsibilities of the position. As director of the Kozmetsky Center, whose mission is to guide the campus community into thinking globally, Martinez, coming from Madrid, is in an ideal position to assist. This will be Martinez’s first job in the U.S. Martinez said she has received eagerness from faculty and students in assisting her transition to St. Edward’s. The first event under the direction of Martinez was held on Sept. 8 in Jones Auditorium. The event, called “Creativity Behind Bars,” featured a speech by Alicia Partnoy, a former Argentine political prisoner and poet. The event was presented in conjunction with the St. Edward’s Fine Art Gallery exhibition, “Art of the Incarcerated.” bbrownc@stedwards.edu
Soto, senior executive senator, said he had five viable candidates and a senator would be ready for confirmation by next meeting. SGA is also awaiting collection of freshmen applications to begin the nomination process for the freshmen senator positions. Chris Duke, Vice President of Intergovernmental Affairs, introduced SR 101, entitled “Truth in Grading.” “As consumers of a degree, if our degree is artifi-
cially inflated in its worth, then its not going to be as worthy as, say, an institution that has more precise grading scales,” Duke said. The bill is currently being considered in SGA, as well as reconciled with a similar one in the Faculty Senate. SGA’s office is located in Student Life and public meetings are held on Thursdays at 7 p.m. in one of the Mabee ballrooms. alamb@stedwards.edu
Key jobs filled over summer Continued from page 1
dean of the School of Education. Leavell has agreed to take the job while the university conducts a thorough search for a permanent fit for the position. Leavell said that she does not plan to apply for the position herself, and is strictly focused on doing an
excellent job while occupying the position. Previously, Leavell was the associate professor of reading in the School of Education. bbrownc@stedwards.edu
Campus Brief
Bikes confiscated The St. Edward’s University Police Department might have your bicycle. Over the summer, UPD and Residence Life tagged bikes that were left on campus bike racks and attempted to contact owners. After some time, 26 bikes were considered by UPD to be abandoned and were confiscated. Only one has been claimed thus far. If a student would like to retrieve his or her bicycle, they must visit the UPD office and provide an accurate description. There is no charge for retrieving
a bike. After 30 days from the beginning of the school year, the unclaimed bikes will be auctioned on campus. All proceeds from the auction will go to Campus Ministry. In addition, UPD is also encouraging students to register their bike with them to avoid future issues and to help track down bikes through a national database if they are stolen.
-Tristan Hallman thallma2@stedwards.edu
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Wednesday, September 9, 2009 | Hilltop Views
Album Reviews Method Man and Redman Proctor Anderson Ten years ago, Method Man and Redman released their first collaboration, Blackout!, and this summer, the duo is back and better than ever, reuniting with Blackout! 2, the sequel to the 1999 classic.
It’s hard to tell that ten years have passed. The two rappers still sound like they did at their peak and their lyrics are just as tight, if not tighter, than they were in ‘99. Rarely does hip-hop make listeners laugh out loud intentionally, and the lyrics, while fairly explicit, do just that. Redman and Method Man rap about everything from networking on MySpace to fancy jewelry to, of course, smoking marijuana. There is no shortage of special guests
on the album, with Bun B, Keith Murray and Wu Tang members Raekwon and Ghostface Killah all making appearances. Blackout! 2 has everything we’ve come to expect from Redman and Method Man and more. The album is worth a listen for anyone even remotely interested in rap and a must for fans of the genre. panders2@stedwards.edu
Arctic Monkeys Ryan Lester With their third album, Humbug, the Arctic Monkeys have returned with confidence. Humbug is an album that shows the band is not afraid to take risks without sacrificing what made them endearing in the first place. Working with Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme, the band has assumed a heavier sound in this album. The guitars have a healthy dose of reverb, and the bass and drums are more pronounced. Humbug is still an Arctic Monkeys album, though, with hooks aplenty and strong technical proficiency, as evidenced in the songs “Crying Lightning” and “Secret Door.”
Lead singer Alex Turner has a way with imagery and detail in his lyrics that most other songwriters can only dream of, while still discussing relatable subjects. In “Cornerstone”, for example, Turner expresses longing for a past lover by asking another woman who reminds him of her “if I could call her your name.” It may lack the immediacy of their first two albums, and some may not agree with the direction the band is going, but Humbug proves that Arctic Monkeys can outlive immense amounts of hype
and continue to produce quality records. The record is positive proof that the band has immense lasting power. rlester@stedwards.edu
Page 6 | ENTERTAINMENT
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 | Hilltop Views
Summer Movie Roundup Potter divides fans Amber Burton On July 14, crowds congregated at movie theaters across America, eagerly awaiting the release of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, the most highly anticipated installment of the beloved series yet. The film, which Warner Brothers pushed from its original release date of November 21, 2008 to July 15, 2009, raked in nearly $78 million in its first weekend at the box office, despite mixed reviews from critics and fans alike. Hailed by critics as the best Potter film yet, many fans disliked that the film skimmed over many important plot points from the book. The original film script, in fact, kept many of the book’s subplots intact, but director David Yates
chose to use the information differently and cut those scenes. However, despite the differences in storytelling, the film delivered some of the best performances yet from each of its principal actors. Although the film only received a PG rating (the last two installments have been PG-13), it is easily the darkest of the series to date. The gloomy, adult themes are tempered by quick witty dialogue and comedic subplots. Overall, the movie suc-
cessfully relates the tale of the Half Blood Prince, despite grumblings from fans who would prefer a more literal adaptation of the novel. aburton3@stedwards.edu
Tarantino does it again Zachary Miranda Many have awaited Inglorious Basterds, the late summer blockbuster, and most people who have seen the movie
will tell you it was worth the wait. Quentin Tarantino spins the tale of a platoon of brave Jewish-American soldiers in Nazi-occupied France taking a comedic action approach to World War II in a never-before-seen way. Fans of Tarantino’s previous works will feel at home with intense, bordering on excessive, violent action sequences. Scenes range from mass murder, to carving swastikas in Nazi foreheads and are all neatly sandwiched between witty dialogue and the ever-amusing antics of Brad Pitt as Lt. Aldo Raine, a Tennessee
native with a passion for collecting Nazi scalps. Those unfamiliar with Tarantino’s previous films (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2) will witness a war movie unlike any they have ever seen. Although Tarantino takes many liberties with his World War II history, what the movie lacks in accuracy is made up tenfold in its absolute awesomeness. For genuine fans of Tarantino, Inglorious Basterds will not disappoint. zmirand2@stedwards.edu
Not your typical romantic comedy Michael McNally “This is not a love story,” the narrator of the film 500 Days of Summer warns in the opening credits. And, in
all honesty, it’s not. Director Marc Webber spins a tale that breaks the rather stale Hollywood love story mold and shapes his own intimate masterpiece. Tom ( Joseph Gordon-Levitt) grew up believing that he would never be happy until he met the one. When he runs into Summer (Zooey Deschanel) on the elevator at work, it truly is love at first sight. And in his eyes, she feels the
same way. After all, they did make out in the copy room spontaneously - a sure sign of deep passions set free. Or, it could be that Summer ‘just felt like it.’ After all, when Tom questions Summer about the possibility of falling in love, she responds sarcastically, “You believe in that?” Tom responds, “It’s love; it’s not Santa Clause.” And therein lies the conflict of the entire film: Tom believes in fairy tale love, while Summer does not. While the film may break your heart, perhaps it should not be seen as a tragedy, but rather as a quick dip into the unpredictable tides of life. mmcnall@stedwards.edu
Film mixes humor, heart Cameron Busby Academy-Award winning director Sam Mendes hit a home run with his debut film American Beauty and has since made quality movies that continually impress critics and fans alike. So why should Away We Go be any different? In short, it isn’t. This heartfelt, funny film follows an expecting couple ( John Krasinski of The Office and Maya Rudolph of SNL) on their journey to find the right place to raise their new child. Without giving away any serious plot points, it’s easy to say this move is a difficult feat for them.
On their journey, the couple meets up with a variety of different people, including relatives and old friends from their pasts who are scattered throughout the United States and Canada. These characters help steer the couple in the right direction while consistently amusing the audience with their quirky, over-the-top antics. The strong performances by Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Dark Knight) and Jeff Daniels (Dumb and Dumber) help fuel this wacky tandem of characters into believable forms of
human beings with seeming natural ease. With an amazing soundtrack created solely by Alexi Murdoch, this movie couldn’t go wrong if it tried.
Hilltop Views | Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Entertainment | Page 7
Café brews more than Joe Nancy Daly If you’re a little left-of-center and enjoy a few espressos, Café Caffeine could be your new Mecca of coffeehouse hangouts. Café Caffeine is a small but well-kept and offbeat coffeehouse and entertainment spot. Whoever said that food is “all in the presentation” wasn’t forgotten here. Mochas are served in cute, hand-painted mugs with lots of whipped cream and chocolate sauce on top, far more fun than a boring paper cup. The owners are incredibly personable and treat you like friends instead of customers. They keep up a welcoming, retro vibe, and you can tell they have a lot of fun doing it. Other than delectable cof-
fee and pastries, Café Caffeine also offers more mealworthy options. Some things on the menu might be better for those with more experimental tastes, but no matter what your eating habits are, the café is a great place to pick up a drink, dessert and sometimes a great show. On Friday and Saturday nights, an improvisation troupe performs, starting at 7:30 p.m. It’s a familyfriendly show, and it’s a lot of fun to watch. Café Caffeine keeps daytime hours and is open latest on Saturday nights until 10 p.m. Parking is limited, but the great garden-style porch out front is worth sacrificing some spaces. Café Caffeine is a great choice if you’re looking for a place close to campus to grab
a pick-me-up and some study time. ndaly@stedwards.edu
Café Caffeine is located at: 909 W Mary Street Austin, Tx 78704 (512)-447-9473 www.cafe-caffeine.com
Eloise Montemayor
Cafe Caffeine offers many vegan and organic options.
Student’s band makes debut Caroline Wallace For any up-and-coming musical act, the first real gig is liable to conjure up a mixed bag of emotions. The marriage of anticipation and fear can color the performance. Despite the nerves, St. Ed-
ward’s University senior Sylvester Sanchez and his girlfriend, Stephanie Kellar, took to the stage at Beauty Bar on Aug. 26. Together, the duo, known as SS Dreamboat, performed a half-hour set for the enthusiastic crowd. “We were surprised that the
SS Dreamboat entertained a large crowd at Beauty Bar.
audience was pretty receptive to us,” Keller said. “Because, we didn’t really know any of them, and I don’t think any of them had heard us.” Though on the surface the audience may have seemed to have little knowledge of the band, there was at least one surprising exception. “One guy came from like 200 miles away” Sanchez said. “We didn’t even know him but he heard us on MySpace and showed up at the show.” Most of SS Dreamboat’s tracks are artfully comEmilio Gutierrez prised of little more than
acoustic guitars and vocals. However, collectively, they also dabble in drums, viola and ukulele, so they are experimenting with utilizing some of these abilities. On songs like “Under my Tree” Kellar’s hauntingly airy voice floats above the folk-tinged, rhythmic strumming of the guitar. Sanchez’s smooth, reverberating vocals take the spotlight on tracks like “North Shore Nightly News.” Together, the duo’s musical offerings are composed and harmonic. The Indie tunes thoughtfully pay tribute to artists like David Bazan. A confessed favorite amongst the pair, they covered one of his songs in their set at Beauty Bar. While the couple has been together for more than three years, their musical venture is quite recent. Sanchez gifted Kellar her first guitar one Christmas, and they started recording as SS Dreamboat
Texas fest, a summer best Yenifes Trochez The blistering Texas summer heat did not stop thousands of music lovers from attending Houston’s first Two-Day Free Press Summer Fest. The music festival donated part of its proceeds to a non-profit organization known as Project Row Houses, which focuses on Houstonian social activism, art and restoring the community. Upon arrival at the festival, patrons were informed that due to the event’s unexpected popularity, OneDay passes were no longer available. Eleanor Tinsley Park was indeed flooded with people and activitymen without shirts; women in long cotton skirts and bathing suits; artists presenting their intricate and abstract work; the hot, heavy air smelled of funnel cakes and hot dogs. However, what was truly remarkable was not what you saw, but rather the phenomenal sounds of muover the summer. Their early efforts consisted of a handful of tracks, which were captured on the recording software Audacity and posted on MySpace. The songs sat dormant for a while, but were soon met with positive feedback. They even landed their first show at Beauty Bar after a booking agent discovered their tracks online. For the pair, the songwriting process remains largely organic. With varying work schedules, one often arrives home to find the other working on a song, so they tend to elaborate on it as a duo from there. While Sanchez is studying Graphic Design at St. Ed-
sic encasing an entire block of downtown Houston. Fifty artists including Voxtrot, The Octopus Project and St. Edward’s University affiliated The Eastern Sea gave fantastic appearances during the two-day show. Day one featured an unbelievable performance by Broken Social Scene, when the liveliness of their music captured the energy of the audience. Day one came to a close, and the audience was submerged into an atmosphere of sound when Explosions in the Sky took to the stage, presenting music from their latest album, “All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone.” Day two featured performances by Wild Moccasins and News on the March. For the grand finale, Of Montreal gave the headlining performance, thrilling the audience with their cheeky lyrics and a psychedelic stage show. ytroche@stedwards.edu ward’s, he relishes the idea of a future in music, and Kellar agrees, saying, “I can’t really see myself doing anything else.” cwallac2@stedwards.edu
For fall shows in the works visit myspace. com/ssdreamboat.
SPORTS
8 Wednesday, September 9, 2009 | Hilltop Views
Men’s soccer visits Jamaica to compete Kayla Meyer The St. Edward’s University men’s soccer team got a taste of the Jamaican culture as it traveled on Aug. 13-19 for a pre-season trip to Kingston, Jamaica. The team came out winning one game, but losing three. The Hilltoppers were able to win their first game in Jamaica 10 with a goal from senior A.J. Prebensen assisted by senior John Calandro. The second game ended in a close 4-3 loss, the third game in a 4-2 loss, and the fourth and final team game ended in another close 2-1 loss. Though the focus of the trip was to prepare for the fall 2009 season, the team got to learn what Jamaica was all about. Men’s soccer players, senior
Ezual Lewis and junior Dushane Ashman, are both from Clarendon, Jamaica. Though Ashman was not able to travel to Jamaica with the team, Lewis said he enjoyed bringing the team to Jamaica to show them the Jamaican culture, like the food. “In America, you have McDonalds, Wendy’s, and Burger King, but over there, the main chain is Juicy Patties,” said Lewis. Traveling to Jamaica was also an eye-opener for the team. Lewis said that the team learned to appreciate and enjoy what they have here in the U.S. compared to Jamaica. “In Jamaica, there is not many places with air conditioning and stuff so it teaches them a lot about first and third world countries,” said Lewis.
Senior Beau Grantier said it was really cool flying into Kingston because you could see the whole culture from above, both the poor and the rich parts. Grantier’s favorite moment from the trip was getting to interact with some of the local Jamaican kids. “My favorite thing, personally, was I enjoyed the mini-clinic we did with some kids,” said Grantier. “We taught them how to play soccer when our game was canceled. Another cool thing was when we were playing some of our games and the kids would sit with us on the sideline.” While traveling in Jamaica, the men’s soccer team was able to update fellow fans about their trip with a 12-entry blog written by the players. It covered the six days they were in Jamaica and can be viewed on the St. Edward’s Athletic Web Site. Since the men’s soccer team’s arrival to the U.S., their preseason has not been going the way they would like it too. With many injuries and paperwork issues that the team is facing, it’s been struggling through the season with three losses. The players said they are hoping to tally some wins soon. Recently the Hilltoppers (0-3, 0-1 HC) fell 2-1 in the team’s first Heartland Conference game to rival University of the Incarnate Word (2-0-1, 1-0 HC) on Sunday. The team got a head start in the game with the first goal by Grantier. However, the Cardinals came back and scored two goals against the Hilltoppers. The team’s next contest will be Friday, Sept. 11 when they host Fort Lewis at 5 p.m.
Courtesy of SEU Athletics
kmeyer2@stedwards.edu
For more of the men’s soccer trip to Jamaica, turn to pg. 16.
Hilltop Views | Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Sports | Page 9
Five Minute Major
A Federal Violation of Our Pastime Last week, San Francisco’s Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the infamous list of 100 Major League Sports Commentary Baseball players believed to have tested positive for performance enhancing drugs was seized illegally. The court ruled that the federal agents acted outside the limitations of the warrant, which listed only 10 names. The decision came too late for players like Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz, as their presence on the list was leaked in violation of federal law. This unfairly and unequally punished them for participating in what was promised to be a confidential list, and still is for the others named, at least for now. While MLB has taken major steps to correct the problem, the Feds still are wrongly trying to seek justice six years later. There is no doubt the steroid era is a stain on the history of the game. It betrays the very premise by which professional sports are played, i.e. that the absurdly high salaries are justified because these athletes are at the absolute top of this planet’s talent pool. The high level of competition should represent the very best of what humans can do athletically. But when the athletes are enhancing themselves pharmaceutically, the game is no longer a true test of skills, rather a test of chemistry. In 2003, years after steroids ran rampant, MLB began efforts to curtail the problem by asking for confidential tests to find out what percentage of the players were using, with the promise that testing positive would not bring punishment. The Feds are fighting to break this promise between the players and their union, MLBPA. A year later in ‘04, the list of names gathered from the confidential testing was seized by federal agents in a raid of labs linked to performance enhancing drugs. For the next five years, lawyers of baseballs players union fought to have the seizure ruled illegal and protect the leagues’ promise of confidentiality. This past week’s ruling validated their work. There is no doubt that MLB deserves blame for the severity of steroid use in its sport. In 1986, when mandatory testing for performance enhancing drugs was introduced, baseball decided not to support it. Two years ago, MLB began handing out 50 game suspensions for a first-time failed test. Baseball is finally on board. It has taken significant steps to protect the integrity of the sport. However, the Feds are now punishing baseball’s athletes for six-year-old issues that have since been corrected. Professional sports are slowly transitioning away from this empty promise of an era and the Feds need to move forward too. Seeking justice for sixyear-old issues that have since been resolved reeks of revenge and punishment. Tommy Collins
tcollin@stedwards.edu
The Hilltop Views sports column, ‘Five Minute Major,’ appears every other week in the sports section and is written by Co-Editor-in-Chief Tommy Collins.
Page 10 | SPORTS
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 | Hilltop Views
New men’s coach named
SEU volleyball team comes out 3-1 in home tournament
Kelli O’Donnell
Brian Brown
St. Edward’s University recently named Andre Cook as the new men’s head basketball coach. “We are thrilled to announce Andre Cook as our new men’s basketball coach at St. Edward’s,” said Athletic Director Debbie Taylor in a press release issued by St. Edward’s. “He is a great fit to continue the winning tradition established by Coach Marks.” Cook joins St. Edward’s from Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, N.Y., where he served as their head basketball coach from 20042009. Cook also served as coordinator of Hudson Valley’s intramural program, and was an adjunct instructor in the physical education department. “My initial reaction to St. Edward’s University was unbelievable people, the great location and a wonderful academic school,” said Cook. “The chance to be head coach here is a tremendous opportunity for me.” Former Head Coach Ryan Marks, who took over as head coach of the University of Texas at Pan American, had one of the most successful five-year runs in St. Edward’s history as he led the Hilltoppers to a 91-54 record. This included three straight Heartland Conference titles, three NCAA Regional Tournament appearances and three straight 20-win seasons. “I would like to uphold the success of the current program,” Cook said. “My expectations this season is to compete for the Heartland Conference Championship and a spot in the NCAA tournament. I will do whatever I can to help my team fulfill those expectations.”
The St. Edward’s University women’s volleyball team ended the Hilltopper Volleyball Classic with three wins and one loss. This weekend’s tournament involved six-teams with each team playing only four matches. The Hilltoppers (6-2) first went up against the Ouachita Baptist Tigers (1-6) winning in three sets, 25-16, 25-20, and 25-22. Sophomore Courtney Trevino, with nine kills and 11 digs in the game, said it was harder than it looked, giving credit to the Tigers for playing well. Trevino also said if anything can be improved she would like to see their service play be better, but she expressed her overall satisfaction with how the team played. The Hilltopper’s played its second match against the Colorado-Mines (52). While the Orediggers won the first set 25-13, the Hilltoppers got it together and won the next two sets in close fashion by scores of
Courtesy of SEU Athletics
Andre Cook is the new men’s head basketball coach.
According to Cook, differences in basketball philosophies on the court will prevail, but the leadership and the academic success of the athletes will remain the same. “My basketball philosophies on the court are different from Coach Marks,” Cook said. “I like to play man-to-man. I want to push the ball up in transition, and I try to be organized on offense. I like to contain the defense, and I am not much of a risk-taker when it comes to defense.” No stranger to success himself, Cook compiled an overall record of 119-40 at Hudson Valley. As a result of his team’s efforts, Cook was named Region III Coach of the Year, as well as the Basketball Coaches Association of New York Junior College Coach of the year. “I’m very excited about working with Coach Cook,” senior basketball player Tylor Carr said. “I feel like change is always for the better.” “The guys expect to have a great season, and they are confident to play in the Heartland Conference this year,” Cook said. kodonne3@stedwards.edu
25-23 and 25-19 respectively. The Orediggers did pull out a victory in the fourth set winning a close 25-22 to force a decisive fifth set. The Hilltoppers did manage to win the last set 15-7 with help from freshman Meredith Bard who tallied four kills in the set and 10 kills in the overall game. “We just don’t even give that first set a second thought,” freshman Michelle Hundt said. “We have to have a short term memory and just come out and play to win.” On the second day of the tournament, the St. Edward’s volleyball team split their two matches. The Hilltoppers first played the Arkansas Monticello (1-5), and were able to dominate in three consecutive sets winning, 25-17, 25-15, and 25-14 respectively. The second match on this second day would prove to be more difficult for the Hilltoppers. The team went up against the only other team that was so far undefeated in this tournament, Southeastern Oklahoma
State (6-2). The Hilltoppers were able to win the first two sets 25-18 and 25-19. Then in a close third and fourth set, the Savage Storm came out winning 25-23 and 2927. Finally, in the fifth set, Savage Storm pulled out a tough win, 15-12, and left this tournament as the only undefeated team. The players said they are looking positively at the season ahead of them. “This team is the most talented team I’ve played for,” senior Lizzy Lepore said. “I believe we should have and will beat the teams we lost
to if we play them again.” Head Coach Sean Donahue echoed those thoughts saying that this team has the potential to be the best team he has coached in his eight seasons. With only two seniors, the volleyball team has quite a young team. The women’s volleyball team will play next weekend at the Broncho/Fairfield Inn Invitational in Edmond, O.K. The Hilltoppers’ first serve will be at 11 a.m. on Sept. 11 against Truman State. bbrownc@stedwards.edu
Courtesy of SEU Athletics
The 2009-10 St. Edward’s University volleyball team.
Mayer wins championship title Jen Obenhaus A senior men’s golfer, Collin Mayer, won his second consecutive city title in the final round of the Austin Men’s City Championship Aug. 9. Mayer began the tournament with an eight-shot lead, later setting a tournament 54-hole record with a 17-under 197. While scoring 64, 64 and 69 in the first three rounds, Mayer managed to shoot a closing 1over par 73 to take the title with a tournament record 16-under 270.
Mayer said that winning the same tournament this past year helped propel him to have one of the best fall semesters any St. Edward’s University player has ever had, and he hopes that this second tournament win will have the same affect on this season. Men’s golf coach Todd Ohlmeyer said Mayer is a tireless worker, usually the first one to practice and the last to leave. “When it comes to his golf, he makes the necessary sacrifices it takes to succeed on the course and feels the same
way about his academic responsibilities,” Ohlmeyer said. “He will be impossible to replace when he graduates in May.” Ohlmeyer also added that Mayer, assuming he continues his strong play, will set new Hilltopper career records this season in rounds under par, tournaments played and rounds played. One of Mayer’s goals this season is to leave his team in a strong place so that future squads will be just as strong as the present team. “One of my personal goals for this season is to get my
team back to the national championship while playing the most active role possible in getting us to that point,” Mayer said. “I see a lot of good things on the horizon. With Coach Ohlmeyer at the helm, I have little doubt that this program will continue on the path it has headed in the last few years.” The next men’s golf tournament will be the Territory Classic, hosted by Cameron University, Sept. 21 in Duncan, OK. jobenha@stedwards.edu
FEATURES
11 Wednesday, September 9, 2009 | Hilltop Views
Tutoring services offered through AET Morgen Brown With more than two weeks of school completed, the fall semester is now in full swing. As homework begins to pile up, students are seeking help with their studies, and Academic Enrichment and Tutoring, a program connected to Academic Planning and Support Services, can provide assistance. AET, a resource for students who may need some help establishing successful study habits and an organized plan for achievement, maintains that it is committed to helping students develop the skills and knowledge needed to achieve academic success and become independent learners.
Students are able to schedule one-on-one help through peer tutoring, with over 29 subject-specific areas. “For [peer] tutoring over the past year, we had nearly 600 tutoring appointments alone,” Krystal Peralez, AET coordinator, said. “While this is excellent, we hope to increase use and will consider looking at other subjects for tutoring options.” Peer tutors are hired for tutoring appointments that last for an hour. Each appointment costs $8.50, unless students qualify for free tutoring. AET also offers other services, including peer academic coaching for CAMP students, academic coaching for student-athletes and supplemental instruction for
general classes. Students enrolled in a St. Edward’s University graduate school program or New College can find writing help at the Online Writing Lab (OWL), where submitted writing is assessed by professional writing advisors. These instructors provide feedback, which focuses on “general commentary with specific in-line feedback, on student papers within 48 hours for papers under 10 pages, or 72 hours for papers longer than 10 pages. With four writing workshops offered on a variety of topics, OWL services are a comprehensive way for students to continue getting help throughout their academic career.
For more information on peer tutoring, or any of the other programs offered by Academic and Enrichment Tutoring services, please visit http://www.stedwards.edu/ apss/aet/index.htm. mbrowne@stedwards.edu
Courses Available for AET Peer Tutoring Microeconomic Principles
Cells, Genetics & Organ
Macroeconomic Principles
Systems
Rhetoric & Composition (I, II
General Writing
& Int.)
Adolescent Psychology
Principles of Accounting (I & II)
American Grammar
Statistics & Business Statistics
Mechanics & Waves
Introduction to Finance
Pre-calculus
Mathematics for Liberal Arts
Calculus I
French (I & II) Spanish (I & II) General Chemistry Analytical Chemistry Organic Chemistry I
AET Contact Information
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Phone: (512) 637-1996 E-mail: tutoring@stedwards.edu
Students seek alternative ways to save Chassedy Johnson Tuition rates and related college fees are at an all-time high, and students and parents alike are scrambling to make ends meet this National College Savings Month. Most students are changing their shopping habits to compensate for the cut in their cash flow, while more students are shopping in places they normally wouldn’t in an attempt to save a few dollars. “I shop at the dollar store, and thrift shopping helps too,” Patrick Saldierna, freshman, said. Additionally, many students seem to be buying inexpensive food and drinks, like ramen, in bulk to save a buck. “I [save by] eating cheap things,” Paloma Bermudez, freshman, said. “Or instead
of eating a big bowl of granola and yogurt, I buy a smaller cup for $3.” Bermudez accompanies her small cup of granola and yogurt with bottled water she has bought in mass quantities. Many students have turn ed toward online shopping for everything from clothing to food. Students have opted to trade more expensive local stores for a lower online price and a small shipping fee. “I [prefer] buying quality merchandise for a cheaper price via online stores like Ebay,” Brieanna Getchell, freshman, said. St. Edward’s University is also offering its students a helping hand in the struggle against the rising price of higher education. For instnace, scholarships, loans and grants awarded based on merit, like the Dean’s Schol-
arship, are available. Needbased and service-based scholarships, like the Brown Scholarship, are also available. Students participating in athletics and a number of other curricula may find they are also eligible for a number of other grants or scholarships. Forming an early relationship with your financial advisor is important, as they can provide more scholarship information and may be able to offer more options. For more information, visit http://stedwards.edu/stufinan/index.htm. cjohnsok@stedwards.edu
Page 12 | Features
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 | Hilltop Views
Students spend summer in Angers Sharla Kew During the summer, while you were working, going to class, or going to the beach for the weekend, a group of St. Edward’s Univeristy students were doing something a lot cooler—living in France. In the French department of Maine-et-Loire, spanning both banks of the Maine River, is the town of Angers. One of the most historic towns in France, Angers boasts quaint features, such as dark slate quarries, an epic tapestry series, famous flower markets and, of course, a castle and cathedral. Recently, Angers has earned yet another reason to
boast—a new St. Edward’s campus. The latest addition is a partnership between St. Edward’s and l’Université Catholique de l’Ouest in Angers. Students live in dormitories at UCO, and instructors are provided classrooms. In addition, the campus in France is an Apple Authorized Training Center for Education and is the only American university in Europe to have this unique distinction. At just 16.49 square miles, Angers is a big change from Austin, but the town is still large enough to have much to offer on a Saturday night. Angers is just a little under three hours away from Paris,
Religieux
by Erica Bogdan
“The inspiration for this photo project came from my going to Catholic school for more than 12 years, so I thought the French devotion to Catholicism was really beautiful and powerful.” Erica Bogdan is a senior at St. Edward’s who traveled to Angers, France over the summer to work on her photography project, “Religieux.”
which, if you are from Texas, is an absolute breeze. Students who traveled to Angers this summer saw the sights and nightlife of Paris, went to the beaches of Normandy, visited Mont St. Michel and St. Malo, toured the Loire Valley castles and tried wines in vineyards. If you aren’t jealous yet, just wait: the group also went to Rome, Italy. The trip was, according to senior Jennibeth Rodriguez, “amazing.” The residence halls are a 20 minute walk from the school (don’t worry—there is plenty of transportation) and are shared with many other international students.
Students made friends with local Angevins, as well as other international students. Rodriguez described the experience as becoming “part of a global micro-community.” The residence halls feature private rooms, complete with their own bathrooms and kitchenettes. The food in France is famous and lived up to the students’ expectations. There are also cuisines from differing cultures, from Mexican to Moroccan to Japanese. “The food was one of my favorite things about France,” adds Rodriquez. For those of us who have never found the time to learn French, there is good news—
you don’t have to! Students take classes from St. Edward’s professors who have also gone on the trip, and students can, if they desire, take French language courses from UCO. UCO regularly has many international students, so the staff is used to working with people who have minimal to no knowledge of the French language. Erin Ray, the director of Office of International Education, says she has been working in international education for ten years, and her own study abroad experience was “a defining moment.” She also says that the St. Edward’s professors do a great job teaching in an inter-
national setting. Both Ray and Rodriguez praised the authentic cultural experience and diversity of the people. There are many opportunities for studying abroad through St. Edward’s, and Angers is the next step in the expanding scope and international perspective of the university. skew@stedwards.edu
Hilltop Views | Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Features | Page 13
Sorin Reel under new management Kelsey Ottesen Calling all budding Steven Speilbergs—St. Edward’s University’s annual Sorin Reel Film Festival is seeking student films. The new co-presidents of the festival, St. Edwards’ students Sarah Burkhalter, a senior, and Jon Wayne Martin, a junior, will help interested
“The winner of the festival not only wins something shiny, but also gets bragging rights for the whole semester,” says Martin.
students by holding a mixer in the next few weeks so film entrepreneurs can meet and pair up with other eager students. Burkhalter and Martin said this will help students meet with those who, for example, may be good with a camera, but need a director or writer. The co-presidents emphasized that the festival is open to everyone and to all skill levels of filmmaking. This is an opportunity for students “to discover a lot about themselves through art,” Burkhalter said. “This is about finding your passion,” addedMartin. The festival is set to take place Nov. 13 from 7-10 p.m. in the Jones Auditorium. Submissions are due Nov. 6. According to the Sorin Reel Web site, each film is, for reasons of efficiency and timeliness, “limited to a length of
no more than 15 minutes and can be of any genre, subject matter, and thematic content.” However, there is no limit to the number of films that can be submitted. Films selected to be screened at the festival will be judged on production value, creativity, content and effort. “The winner of the festival not only wins something shiny, but also gets bragging rights for the whole semester,” Martin said. Other changes in the festival planned by Burkhalter and Martin include setting up a photo booth outside the auditorium so movie-goers can have their picture taken and be able to leave with a memento of the festival. Additionally, while the audience gets refreshments before the show, the pair hopes to have an exhibit showing the work of photography
students on campus. Also, in true film fashion, they hope to have a photographer at the festival to document the whole experience. Burkhalter and Martin said they plan on having three judges this semester: one from the Austin Film Festival, another from a local production company and a professor from St. Edward’s. The festival’s Web site says that it aims to promote the creativity and talents of the St. Edward’s faculty and student body in an appropriate and egalitarian fashion. The founders of the festival,
For More Reel Information
a theater company. Similarly, Martin dreams of one day being a director, but also dreams of owning his own draft house where he would could put on film festivals. Charles Rogers and Justin Davidson, graduated last May. Rogers currently attends the New York University Film School. Davidson is pursuing an English teaching position in South Korea. Both Burkhalter and Martin want to pursue a film career after graduation. Burkhalter hopes to be directing and writing her own plays, or maybe even owning
kottese@stedwards.edu
Web site: www.vimeo.com/sorinreel
Twitter: twitter.com/keepsorinreel
E-mail: sreel@stedwards.edu
Facebook fan page: “Sorin Reel Film Festival”
Hilltop Views 1/4 Pg. Black & White 4.7x 5.3” Insert: 9/9/09 PAID
Image courtesy of Jon Wayne Martin
14 Editorial
VIEWPOINTS
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 | Hilltop Views
Hilltop Views moving from page to screen Yes, the future of journalism is uncertain. A field once dominated by print is now moving away from this most tangible medium. The clear leader in the realm of news dissemination is the Internet, which is rapidly replacing both newspapers and television as the chosen media outlet for obtaining news. The future for online journalists and those literate in multimedia is expanding, while the niche for print journalists is shrinking. Not only are Internet news sources the most used by those under the age of 36, they are also the most trusted. Online readers of The New
York Times nearly double print readers. The Times is embracing this new reality. “I really don’t know whether we’ll be printing the [New York] Times in five years, and you know what? I don’t care either,” Arthur Sulzberger, owner, chairman and publisher of the New York Times, said. “The Internet is a wonderful place to be.” That’s not to say that the importance of print journalism skills is diminishing. Reporters still need to be thorough, fair and accurate. However, preparing students for the online world with only the skills of print journalism is not fully equipping them for the workforce.
Eloise Montemayor
News in print form is quickly becoming an outdated medium.
Similarly, only teaching students how to blog will not create well-rounded
journalists. Luckily, the importance of being skilled in print and
online is reflected in the curriculum of our university, which offers training in both mediums. Hilltop Views, too, cannot prepare students to work in today’s journalism climate without an online edition. This is why we are proud to announce that we will be launching an online edition in October. Hilltop Views will now offer student journalists the opportunity to gain experience in all areas of the evolving journalism workplace as well as offer the community a new way to obtain information about campus, local and national news. Our Web site will offer what is found in the pages
of our print edition, which will continue to appear in boxes across campus each Wednesday, while also hosting unique content such as videos, podcasts, slideshows, columns, blogs and much more. Online readers will have the option of receiving weekly e-mail newsletters about what to expect in both our print and online editions as well as updates about breaking news. We at Hilltop Views are excited about our new endeavor and hope that the campus community will gain as much from this new resource as the staff will from producing it.
SGA President encourages involvement, diligence Hilltoppers, Welcome back to the Hilltop for the 2009-2010 school year! This is, without a doubt, my favorite time of the school year, when the air around campus is electric with excitement and anticipation over the coming semester. For many students, myself included, the first few weeks of the school year are a time to adjust to new surroundings. For new members of the community, this means getting used to life in the residence halls, figuring out dining hall schedules and the ins and outs of meal plans, dealing with textbook sticker shock and potentially learning to share your personal space with someone you’ve never met before. This transition might seem rough at first, but don’t panic.
Everyone has this same experience at some point, and they all come through it just fine. Once you are settled in, you will most likely find that you have a lot of time on your hands. This is a positive thing for some students, but for others, it is a maddening feeling. I was definitely in the latter group, and it led me to join student organizations. I needed to be plugged into the university and found that student organizations were a very fulfilling way to meet new friends and exercise your many talents. I encourage all students to join. If you find that you still have time to spare, go experience all that Austin—the coolest city in America—has to offer! However, beware that the alluring qualities of our fair city shouldn’t cause
you to put off schoolwork. “I’ll do it tomorrow” is a very dangerous habit to adopt—as the semester progresses, the work invariably becomes harder and more frequent. Trying to catch up and pulling all-nighters can be very stressful, which is not good for the body or the mind, and can even lead to illness. So, while enjoying life on and off campus, please take care of your academic work and stay healthy. This transition period is all about finding a balance between your life inside and outside of the classroom. This is not the easiest task, and at times you may fall, but that’s not a problem—simply pick yourself up, take a deep breath and keep going. I have faith that you will succeed both here at St. Edward’s University and
throughout your life. And so, I wish you the best of luck this year. If there is anything I can do to help, please do not hesitate to ask! Go Toppers! Meghan K. Kuentz Student Body President mkuentz@stedwards.edu
Christina Villarreal
Student Government Association President Meghan Kuentz
Hilltop Views | Wednesday, September 9, 2009
VIEWPOINTS | Page 15
Swapping New York for Austin no big deal Brian Brown I was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., and would be considered by most a quintessential “Brooklynite.” The idea, the decision and the actual process to have a fresh start by moving to Austin, transferring from Touro College, a Jewish university with 17,500 students with campuses in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, to St. Edward’s University, all came together in a matter of a few short months. From the moment I started to pack, anytime I mentioned my plans to another the first thing out of their mouths
would be, “Wow. Texas. That’s going to be a culture shock.” I landed in Austin on Aug. 11. Anytime I tell someone I’ve moved here from New York, the first thing they say is, “Wow. New York. That’s got to be a culture shock.” I find that New York and New Yorkers are misunderstood. New York is a bustling city that truly never sleeps, which can really wear on a person, because it is sometimes hard to remember to stop and take a breath. The fatigue can be clearly seen on many people’s faces, particularly early in the morning, as they stand squished together
Hilltop Views 3001 S. Congress Ave. #1033, Austin, TX 78704 Phone: (512) 448-8426 Fax: (512) 233-1695 hilltopv@stedwards.edu www.stedwards.edu/hilltopviews Bryce Bencivengo Tommy Collins Editors-in-Chief
Blair Haralson Alyssa Palomo Designers
Claire Cella Tristan Hallman News Editors
Eloise Montemayor Photo Editor Daniel De Los Santos Assistant Photo Editor
Philip Bradshaw Jen Obenhaus Features Editors Kayla Meyer Sports Editor Ross Green Rachel Winter Viewpoints Editors Holly Aker Caroline Wallace Entertainment Editors Shaun Martin Head Designers
Arianna Auber Amber Burton Leslie Ethridge Nicole Henson James Leavenworth Copy Editors Christy Torres Advertising 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.
So, a culture shock, you may ask? No, not even close. in a subway car, just praying that the train doesn’t break down and they can actually make it to their jobs on time. In New York, you can get from one point of the city to any other point, at any time, for only $2. However, it is seldom pleasant or convenient. Truth be told, there is no form of travel in New York that is ideal, unless, of course, you are Mr. James Dolan, CEO of Cablevision, and are able to take a helicopter back and forth from your home to your office and then back again. Simply stated, New York City is terribly overcrowded. I love New Yorkers. In many ways, I would even say
I consider myself lucky to be from New York. New Yorkers are a special breed, and growing up in New York prepares one for any situation. Many may think of New Yorkers as crass, mean and, sadly, dangerous. It is impossible for me to be completely unbiased, but I disagree with those types of sentiments. The words I like to use are “tough” or “hardened,” in the sense that no situation or person can surprise or scare us. Living in a city with over 8 million people from all different walks of life, creeds, religions, economic statuses, views and ideas is quite an experience. This is why I found
it particularly perplexing to hear my fellow New Yorkers talk about a supposed culture shock. After living in New York for more than a quarter of a century, I don’t think there’s much left capable of shocking me. We already live in a city that magnifies our differences while embracing our individuality, preparing us for interaction with people from all different cultures. I would expect New Yorkers to understand that nothing shocks us, especially different cultures. However, I’m fairly surprised to hear it on this end, considering that anyone living in Austin must realize how different and “weird” the city is as well. The people here are culturally diverse yet kind and understanding, which has made my transition painless. They are friendly, caring and eager to make me feel at home in
this beautiful city. I feel quite at home and I thank you for that, Austin. So, a culture shock, you may ask? No, not even close. Enlightening, enriching, and fun? Now that’s more like it. I can’t imagine anyone having trouble transitioning to Austin life from anywhere, especially New York. As I stated earlier in this article, the biggest and best difference is that there is less of a stressful air to life here in Austin. I’m greatly looking forward to getting used to my new life. brianbrownc@stedwards.edu
Wikipedia’s new rules regarding added material will verify the accuracy of information and improve the integrity of the Web site.
Rule to boost Wikipedia’s ethos Megan Ganey Got a question that you need to know the answer to immediately? Even my 8year-old cousin would tell you to Wikipedia it. So, you would enter the Web site tentatively and sift through the information with caution, never knowing if the information you just read was added by a devoted Wikipedian or a new user who heard that baby tears can heal any wound on the human body from her hairdresser who heard it from her roommate who heard it from her sister’s boyfriend. However, if your question had anything to do with a famous living person, you can now proceed with con-
fidence based on the new editing process proposed by the Wikimedia Foundation, the organization that manages Wikipedia. Wikipedia has achieved household familiarity, but it has also gained a reputation as being unreliable, which any student who has written a research paper can tell you. But according to the Wikimedia Foundation, the policy change will only apply to already protected pages, or pages where new and unregistered users are not permitted to edit material. This new policy deviates from the old one by allowing new members to add information, which has to be processed by experienced Wikipedia editors before it is
added to the default page. So although Wikipedia is still a user-based encyclopedia, the new policy will protect living people and prevent and libel. According to The New York Times, Wikipedia is one of the top 10 most visited Web sites on the Internet, and with that type of traffic, it is good to know that people are getting the right information about important figures in our society. Because our world judges so many societies based on their leaders, it is good to know that someone learning about America won’t find false information and use that as a basis to judge our country. Additionally, it is important that well-known people are able to have their images
and biographies protected from misinformation. While Wikipedia will never be a reliable source to use for Capstone, it is a great place to find obscure facts about Star Wars or settle a debate between friends about whether a tomato is a fruit or vegetable. It is good to see that Wikipedia is keeping with its original Wild West-like approach to obtaining and organizing information and has now made a John Wayne step in as sheriff to prevent bandits and outlaws from getting away with information murder. mganey@stedwards.edu
Page 16 | PHOTO ESSAY
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 | Hilltop Views
Men’s soccer journeys to Jamaica The St. Edward’s University men’s soccer team traveled to Jamaica for their fall 2009 pre-season training. The team stayed in Kingston, Jamaica, from Aug. 1319. The Hilltoppers got to experience Jamaican culture while also competing against Jamaica’s best teams.