Optimist Print Edition 08.28.18 (Volume CVIII, Issue VI)

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OPTIMIST

@acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist

BID NIGHT Three weeks of pledging for underclassmen will begin tonight at 5 p.m.

A student publication of Abilene Christian University since 1912

Friday September 28, 2018

Volume CVIII, Issue VI News

Sports

SGA wraps up two busy weeks, including elections, the first-ever Join Week and the budget meeting. Congress is two positions from full capacity for the first time in years......................................Page 2

Rachel Johnson overcame a season-ending injury, and came back this season in full-force. Johnson has six shutouts and was recognized as Southland Player of the Week earlier this season.............Page 6

S S M

T W R

F

Opinion As pledging begins, the editorial board offers personal advice for sophomores and juniors taking on the three-week challenge, including regrets and exciting moments to cherish.........Page 5

Photo by NICHOLAS CROMWELL| CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER During the first Freshman Follies rehearsal, one of the mens dorm acts enjoys their performance. Follies has three shows during Family Weekend. STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

SGA grants $50,000 to 72 student organizations ALYSSA HIGH STAFF REPORTER

Student Government Association’s fall semester budget allocated $50,000 to 72 student organizations Wednesday evening. The budget meeting started with an introduction of each member of the executive cabinet, then went to an explanation of the procedure. Then the CFO and did an overview of this year’s budget and total allocation. A total of $125,399.47 was requested by all groups and the average allocation was $694.44. The top-funded organization was Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization

(CEO), which was allocated $6,177 of its requested $ 18,250.00. Second was International Student’s Association, allocated $ 2,879.11 of its request. Third was Filmfest, which was allocated $2,780.09 of its requested $6,000.

Everyone felt that they were treated fairly and equally, and everyone was equally pleased, which is the goal.” COLTON POWELL EXECUTIVE TREASUREER

Chief Financial Officer Kevin Shurtz, a senior computer science major from Southlake, said the budget was based on ob-

jective criteria to give each organization appropriate and fair funding. “We thought it was very important that the allocation process was based on objective criteria so we could check our own policies and make sure that we were funding each organization in a way that was appropriate,” Shurtz said. Shurtz and Colton Powell, the executive treasurer, explained the business allocation model, a mathematic formula ensuring fair distribution among organizations. Before receiving funds, each group was required to have Title IX clearance and meet with Powell to discuss their funding re-

The executive cabinet poses with “Join Something” wristbands corresponding with Join Week, encouraging students to get involved on campus. Photo courtsey of Mikaela Clinton. quest. Powell and Shurtz travel expenses. compared requests to preThe budget meeting vious allocations. SGA lasted about 45 minutes does not fund t-shirts or with no amendments. Pow-

ell, the senior financial management major from Nashville, said this is because the budget was distributed the night before as opposed to during the budget meeting as it has been in the past. Shurtz agreed and said explaining the methodology behind the allocations reduced the number of questions people could have asked. Of congress members present, 46 congress members voted in favor, four opposed and three abstained. “I think the overall reaction is that people were satisfied because of this system,” Powell said. “Everyone felt that they were treated fairly and equally, and everyone was equally pleased, which is the goal.”

CAMPUS NEWS

Cenergistic contract extended through 2022 LAUREN FRANCO EDITOR IN CHIEF

SGA’s first-ever Join Week encourages involvement ALYSSA HIGH STAFF REPORTER

Student Government Association’s first ever Join Week began Monday after chapel with booklets and a student organization fair. On Tuesday, SGA hosted two discussion panels featuring three-four student organizations at each. Wednesday during Chapel, another discussion panel featured three more organizations. Tuesday at chapel - discussion featured 3-4 groups, join fest outside of moody after Chapel on

Friday the communication team hopeful for good ending with Join Fest. Marketing Director Marco Martinez, senior advertising and graphic design major from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, proposed the idea of Join Week. He said he worked in the admissions department during his freshman year and people were always asking how to get involved with organizations on campus. When he couldn’t answer that SEE JOIN WEEK PAGE 2

The university renewed its energy conservation plans with Cenergistic, a Dallas-based company that has reduced ACU’s energy use by 25 percent per square foot. According to a press release sent out by Emerald Cassidy, director of public and media relations for ACU, the program began in January of 2014 with a goal of reducing energy consumption and creating a culture of sustainability. “We’ve been paying attention to energy costs for awhile,” said Kevin Campbell, senior vice president of operations. “There are two driving factors leading the energy conservation program. One is cost and second is the impact on

the environment.” Over a five year period, there has been over $1 million in savings. Electricity and gas have the largest impact on utility cost alongside two different sources of water – the domestic waterline leading to water fountains, sinks and showers, and affluent water used to water the grass around campus. The central plant is the largest consumer of energy on campus because it provides heating or cooling to the rest of campus. “We are trying to be good inhabitants of the earth,” Campbell said. “The biggest change that has enabled us to do a lot of this saving on energy is technology.” Campbell said all of the new buildings are automated, allowing better control over when the air turns on

We are trying to be good inhabitants of the earth. The biggest change that has enabled us to do a lot of this saving on energy is technology.” KEVIN CAMPBELL SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS

and off. In academic buildings, it is easier not to cool uninhabited rooms on weekends and nights. To maintain a comfortable temperature in common spaces such as the library, campus center and Student Recreation and Wellness Center, Campbell said they know when to turn the system back on to reach the temperature by opening time. Though some of the older buildings on campus are not up-to-date with technology, every time a new building begins construction, part of the process is putting technology

into the facilities. “The biggest change that is taking place right now, with the addition of Onstead and Halbert Walling, this fall semester is the first time we’ve had every new facility, at the same time, running with students here as well,” Campbell said. Campbell said one of the most unique challenges is the amount of rainfall. Though most of the classrooms are at the desired temperature of 72 degrees, the humidity level causes them to feel muggy. “The whole purpose of the energy conservation program is not to change student behavior,” Campbell said. “Our goal is to keep our buildings within the comfort zone and make sure we are balancing the goal of conservation with student comfort.”


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