2006 03 10

Vol. 94, No. 43 1 section, 8 pages

FRIDAY

March 10, 2006

www.acuoptimist.com

Looking for a repeat

Special ‘Optimist’ schedule

‘Block’buster

The track teams head to the NCAA D-II national indoor championships, page 8

The Optimist will not print editions during spring break and will resume March 24 after vacation.

Dave Chappelle’s Block Party provides music and fun, page 5

Campaigning questions arise n With Students’ Association executive officer elections still a month away, officers decided potential candidates’ Facebook groups do not break any rules.

By MALLORY SHERWOOD Managing Editor

Elections for Students’ Association executive officer

positions begin after spring break, but a wrinkle in the campaigning process has already appeared.

Last week, several potential candidates created Facebook.com support groups, and more than 150 members have already joined, despite the fact that campaigning on campus has not begun.

This move sparked a debate in SA as officers had to define what campaign violations meant. Melanie Booker, vice president of SA, said campaigning on campus cannot begin until after petitions are filed, a process which doesn’t begin until the end of March.

Technically though, a de-

cision was made that groups online cannot and should not be regulated by SA because they are not affiliated directly with the university, Booker said.

Justin Scott, SA president, said trying to regulate Facebook.com is like trying to regSee

SA page 7

SA officer elections March 29: Petitions available April 5: Petitions due April 11-12: Elections April 13: Runoff voting

Reaching for the win

Forums to discuss sexuality n Directors of the coffee house discussion said they hope the forums will prepare students for the arrival of the Soulforce Equality Ride.

By DENTON JOSEY Student Reporter

A few days before Soulforce steps on campus, the Spiritual Life Core will begin discussion about how to relate to people from a wide range of backgrounds.

Kelly Sisson and Anna Radomsky, Co-directors of Coffee House, will plan a forum for any students interested in discussing alternative lifestyles.

The forum, called “How To Relate To Lifestyle Diversity Within A Christian Setting,” will take place at 7 p.m. March 23 in a location to be determined and will be accompanied by free snacks, hot chocolate and coffee.

A speaker will facilitate the conversation and Radomsky and Sisson will guide discussion and make sure it stays on topic.

Radomsky, junior social work major from Austin, said the Coffee House forum See

FORUM page 7

Service celebrates mission Brian Schmidt/Chief Photographer

Erica Ray, junior social work major from Euless, and Lillian Hynson, freshman physical therapy major from Sulfer Springs, race on the bungee run inflatable Wednesday after Chapel. Several inflatable games were available Wednesday in the mall area outside the Campus Center as part of Making Healthy Choices Week.

n Wildcat Week of Service asks students, alumni, faculty and staff to devote at least one hour to service during spring break.

By JACI SCHNEIDER Copy Editor

Jogging track closes some lot entrances n As construction progresses down East North 16th Street, ACU Police Chief Jimmy Ellison said students can expect parking lots to be temporarily blocked.

By SARAH CARLSON Arts Editor

Construction on the Walk/ Jog track has progressed

around the perimeter of campus to East North 16th Street, with an expected finish set for April.

Temporary entrance closures for Sikes, Gardner, Nelson and McDonald residence halls can be expected at least through the week after spring break while the construction workers build

the track.

Those rushing to be on time for a class should be aware of these closures and allow adequate time to find parking, said Jimmy Ellison, chief of ACU Police.

“It can be frustrating to arrive to class with minutes to spare, only to find out that the entrance you normally

take on campus is close,” Ellison said.

For students having trouble finding parking, he said, the new parking lot at University Church of Christ is now open, adding 141 spaces for on-campus parking.

The lot can be accessed from See

TRACK page 7

Ellison

Spring Break Campaign members won’t be the only people serving during spring break. The university is encouraging students and alumni to participate in the first Wildcat Week of Service.

Betsey Craig, chair of the Public Relations Task Force for the Centennial who has been involved in planning and marketing the event, said in an e-mail that it’s a celebration of the university’s mission.

“We’re calling students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends around the world to set aside one hour for service from March 11-18,” Craig said.

See

SERVICE page 7

Club to bike to California for cause n Members of the men’s social club Gamma Sigma Phi will leave Friday afternoon and have raised $5,000 so far for the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation.

By MALLORY SHERWOOD Managing Editor

Twenty members of Gamma Sigma Phi will embark at 2 p.m.

Friday on a 1,200-mile bike ride across the southwest on route to Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif. Riders expect to arrive in California by midmorning Monday after riding continuously from Abilene, all so they can raise money for a foundation researching “brittle bone” disease.

“It’s not about riding a bike to California,” said Cole Griffith, senior accounting major from Nashville, Tenn. “It’s about helping kids who can’t ride a bike because their bones break, so they can do it one day.”

Fundraising for members of GSP usually occurs every two years. This year though, members hope to change that and

begin a new tradition that involves raising money for organizations every year.

“This is what club is about,” Griffith said. “I personally hope we can break tradition and do this every year. We have enough guys in club that can take the initiative. It’s the coolest thing to realize you are accomplishing something and changing lives.”

Last spring members of GSP

house, said Mark Phillips, assistant professor of management, approached the men last semester. “[He] asked if we were going to do something this year to raise money, if we would do it for the OIFoundation,” Scott said. “He has a 10-year-old son, Matt, who has osteogenesis imperfecta and is in a wheelchair.

We knew we wanted to do this bike ride this year and this was

“It’s about helping kids who can’t ride a bike because their bones break, so they can [ride] one day.”

Cole Griffith, senior accounting major from Nashville, Tenn.

played a world record-breaking 60-hour softball game to raise money to build a Habitat for Humanity house.

Although the men aren’t expecting to break any records this time, they do hope to change a life, including a life in Abilene.

Justin Scott, senior political science major from White-

Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

the perfect idea to be able to help out.”

Griffith said the foundation has little money for research, which means it can’t find a cure. With the donations from friends, family members and the Abilene community, he said he hopes money can be raised to start a new research project to find a cure to help

children like Matt.

The disease When Matt Phillips was born, his parents knew something was wrong.

“We had never heard of the disease and never suspected anything would be wrong when he was born,” Phillips said.

“Just after he was born, the doctors knew he had OI because he had fractures throughout his body.”

OI, osteogenesis imperfecta, is a genetic disorder that affects only one in 20,000 people.

The disease is characterized by the fact that those who have it break bones while performing routine actions, or in Matt Phillips’ case, even before they are born.

Matt Phillips, the second child in the family, has type 3 OI, a common type which means his bones fracture easily; he is short in stature and could have bone deformity, brittle teeth and hearing loss. His condition See

GSP page 7

Photo courtesy of MARK PHILLIPS

Matt Phillips, 10, of Abilene reads a book with his guide dog. Phillips suffers from osteogenesis imperfecta, or “brittle bone” disease. Members of the Gamma Sigma Phi social club will ride bikes to Malibu, Calif., during spring break to raise money for research about the debilitating disease.

Abilene Christian University

Serving the ACU community since 1912

Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date:

Friday, March 10, 2006

Calendar & Events 12

10

Friday

GSP Bike Ride information, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows/tables.

Spring break.

11

Saturday

13

Spring break.

Sunday

Monday

Spring break.

Volunteer Opportunities The City of Abilene Emergency Management needs 20 volunteers to act as victims in a simulated airport crash for a city/county wide exercise 8 a.m.-noon April 5.

A professional will add injuries to the volunteers with makeup, the fire departments will rescue them and transport them to the hospital and then back to ACU. Contact the director of emergency management by Wednesday to volunteer. For more information contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center.

Day Nursery of Abilene needs volunteers to set up, prepare, serve and clean during its 14th annual Mexican Dinner fundraising event from noon until 10 p.m. March 25.

For more information, contact the Volunteer Service-Learning Center.

Meals on Wheels urgently needs drivers to deliver hot noon meals to 12-16 seniors and adults with disabilities from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays. For more information, contact the Volunteer Service-Learning Center.

Northern Oaks Rehab and Nursing needs volunteers to help with activities with the elderly such as bingo, dominoes, cards and table games, singing groups, playing piano, visits, or reading or to spend time with them anywhere from 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. or evenings with coordination on weekdays. For more information, contact the Volunteer Service-Learning Center.

Abilene Hope Haven needs volunteers to play with children while assisting with childcare from 6:45-8:15 p.m.

Mondays through Thursdays.

For more information, contact the Volunteer Service-Learning Center.

Taste of Abilene 2006 needs volunteers from 4:30-9:30 p.m. on April 4 at the Taylor County Expo Center. Volunteers will help with the set up at 4:30 p.m., assist participants during the event and help clean up afterwards.

Volunteers will be able to sample food from the 20 booths of participating restaurants. For more information contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout.

14

Tuesday

Spring break.

15

Wednesday

Spring break.

Announcements Robin Roberts, co-host for ABC’s Good Morning America and former sportscaster for ESPN, will speak at 7 p.m. on April 8 at a dinner in Teague Special Events Center. The event is part of ACU’s Centennial Speaker Series. For more details or to buy tickets call 674-2622.

Study Abroad is offering a free iPod drawing for students that turn in an application for the Fall semester of the Latin America Study Abroad program. There are still spots available in both locations. The deadline is March 31. E-mail study_ abroad@acu.edu for more information.

Communities in Schools needs volunteers at various times throughout the day to spend time with kids at recess, lunch, or in the classroom at Fannin Elementary on Monday through Friday. For more information, contact the Volunteer and ServiceLearning Center.

The Grace Museum is partnering with ACU to produce a state-of-theart literature/podcast collaboration titled “Works on Paper: A Creative Writing LitCast.” The collaboration is a 12-part series written by the Advanced Creative Writing Class based on the painting “The News” by Jack Bookbinder. Students

access the works online at www.thegracemuseum.org/ musecast.

ACU is only able to continue providing e-mail accounts for a limited time after a student leaves the university because of software and servers and personnel expenses. The policy: “ACU continues to provide email and other accounts for two long semesters after a student leaves ACU.” The e-mail accounts of those who have not attended ACU since December 2004, will be deleted. On Monday all messages in those accounts will be deleted and messages sent to those addresses will bounce back to the sender.

If you have questions, please contact the ACU Help Desk at 738-4357.

Retiree and special accounts will not be affected by this action.

The faculty/student server will be unavailable for up to six hours beginning at 5 a.m. on Tuesday for system maintenance. These services will be unavailable during the outage: 1. local mapping of home, class, web and shared folders for students and faculty who log in from a lab computer or who have the shares automatically mapped 2. access to the Files tab on myACU. 3. access to the “My Courses” in the Academics tab on myACU.

Credited Chapels remaining:

33 35

FilmFest 2006 declared UnReel n FilmFest producers concoct new ways to expand FilmFest, ACU’s student film festival, for next semester. The theme for FilmFest 2006 is “UnReel.”

By LAURA SMITH Staff Writer

Although FilmFest is still months away, producers have already chosen a theme and are working to make next years’ “UnReel” show come together.

Matt Maxwell, last year’s co-chair, said some participants considered last year’s theme, “Milestone” too narrow.

“Last year, Milestone was constrictive,” said Maxwell, junior electronic media major from Abilene.

“UnReel will open up FilmFest and be different. Kids keep looking back on previous years and improving on what they did.”

Next year Maxwell will play more of a student-director role in the production; he is now searching for skillful and dedicated students to serve as co-chairs.

FilmFest began as an idea in the minds of an Apple Adviser Group. Interested in the use of film in education, member Doug Darby, creator of FilmFest, investigated the use of film in universities throughout the United States. He began FilmFest in 2004, and is still letting the

event evolve.

“The eventual goal is for FilmFest to become a process that runs itself through more student involvement,” Darby said.

Next year’s theme is designed to allow students to expand and explore their talents and creativity, which planners hope will compel even more students to participate.

Student involvement was more prevalent this year than in the first. Each short film was provided online for students to view so they could vote for best film. Not only did this generate more interest from the student body, but also allowed films to be judged on general appeal as apposed to specific guidelines. The success of the student’s choice secured its function in FilmFest and set the stage for further innovations.

Things to look for in the future include a best actor/ actress award and a FilmFest workshop tied in to Lectureship. The workshop would draw influential Christian leaders from the film industry into the event, Maxwell said.

Judges for this fall’s FilmFest are still being located, a job that usually falls to the co-chairs.

E-mail Smith at: optimist@acu.edu

About This Page The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities.

Groups may send announcements directly to optimist@acu.edu or to the Page 2 Editor, ACU Box 27892, Abilene, TX 79699.

To ensure that an item will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days before. The Optimist may edit items for space and style.

Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed in this space in a timely manner.

Friday, March 10, 2006

Page 3

CAMPUS NEWS

Snakes slither in Sweetwater at the Round-Up on Friday n The 48th annual Rattlesnake Round-Up officially begins this weekend, with more than 30,000 visitors participating in cook-offs, the round-up and other events.

By SHERRI SNYDER Student Reporter

The world’s largest Rattlesnake Round-Up began Thursday afternoon with a parade through downtown Sweetwater and the Miss Snake Charmer Scholarship Pageant at 7 p.m. in the Sweetwater Municipal Auditorium.

Joel Overall, English graduate student from Abilene, went to the round-up last year and saw the winner of the 2005 Miss Snake Charmer skin a snake as part of her initiation. He also got handson experience with a rattlesnake.

“It was a little creepy,” he said. “They hold it by the head so it’s safe. It’s pretty gross, but it’s a cool experience.”

Doors officially open for the 48th annual round-up at 8 a.m. Friday in the Nolan County Coliseum. Tickets cost

$6 for adults and $4 for children. The tickets give access to numerous events, such as snake handling demonstrations, a carnival, flea market, the Gun, Knife and Coin Show and a guided snake hunt.

About 30,000 people will visit Sweetwater from Friday morning to Sunday evening to participate in the activities, said Kay Berryman, office manager for the Sweetwater Chamber of Commerce.

The town puts its best foot forward this weekend to make everyone who visits feel

She just thought she could escape

at home, she said.

Berryman also said about 10,000 pounds of snakes are involved in the weekend activities. The number of snakes involved in the weekend depends on how many are caught. The idea for the Rattlesnake Round-Up began in 1958 when farmers and ranchers took action to reduce the number of snakes in the area that were affecting livestock.

Round-ups now take place in at least six states.

Hunting teams work with

By MORGAN WILLIAMS Student Reporter

GATA women’s social club adopted a boy from El Salvador a year ago in hopes of reaching out to children in underprivileged countries.

Nelson, a 10-year-old boy who lives in the village of El Sunza, caught the eye of Lauren Hart, junior integrated marketing communication major from Austin, when she met him on a Spring Break Campaign to El Salvador last year.

“He was so cute with his big eyes and his big smile,” said Hart, who is the chaplain for GATA. “I fell in love with him the minute I saw him.”

The children who have been adopted are allowed to enter a facility surrounded by a thick concrete wall that is guarded 24 hours a day by a designated guard.

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Attendance wavered for ‘sacred’ week n Centennial events, spring break and hectic schedules were cited as reasons turnout was low for Sacred Relationships Week, which ended this weekend.

By JARED FIELDS Sports Editor

Sacred Relationships Week came to an end Monday, lasting two weeks with four speakers.

The week included presentations from Everett Worthington, professor of psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University; Gary Thomas, director for the Center of Evangelical Spirituality; and Dennis Lowe and Emily Scott-Lowe from Pepperdine University.

Overall, Steve Rowlands, director of the University Counseling Center, said he thought the speakers were good, but that he wanted more people to attend. Rowlands cited the timing and busy schedule as reasons for lower than ex-

pected numbers.

“It was just a challenge to get people to all events, and we had a lot of events,” Rowlands said. “I think a whole lot of it was just the Centennial year, and there’s so many things going on.”

Sacred Relationships changed from its previous name, Healthy Relationships, this year.

“We just felt that Sacred Relationships has a better sense of what we want,” Rowlands said.

“We look at relationships as being more sacred, important, special – and so I think sacred really ties that all together.”

Rowlands said he was pleased with the quality of this year’s speakers. Of the speakers, he said Gary Thomas generated the most feedback.

“They really liked Gary Thomas’ presentation and his ministry, his style and his personality,” Rowlands said. “Each of the three people were very

sincere and genuine and very approachable.”

Because of the scheduling problems this year, Rowlands said the main concern for next year’s week will be changing the week back to its traditional time.

“We usually have it the end of January or first of February,” Rowlands said. “That’s probably where we’ll go next year. The closer you get to spring break, the less attention you get.”

Rowlands said he doesn’t yet know what speakers will come to campus next year, but the committee will begin planning soon.

“We’re probably going to try to meet at the end of this semester and go over next year,” Rowlands said. “We don’t have anyone tied down yet, but we’ll start looking at names.”

E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu

sion to the cook-off is free.

The idea of 10,000 snakes squirming in pits and on the end of snake hooks might not appeal to everyone. However, Overall said overcoming the fear of snakes is worth the experience.

“It’s a safe place,” he said.

“Give it a shot — it’s an interesting event.”

More information can be found at www.rattlesnakeroundup.com or by calling (325)-235-5488.

E-mail Snyder at: optimist@acu.edu

GATA adopts Salvadoran child n Nelson, a 10-year-old boy, receives a school uniform, extra clothes, food and can enter in a guarded missionary facility because of the club’s donations.

John Leedy, senior youth and family ministry major from The Woodlands, forces Erica Findley, freshman art major from Bakersfield, Calif., to stay in her seat as an illustration of Satan getting a hold of people and not letting go during the Seekers of the Word Chapel presentation Wednesday.

the Texas Parks and Wildlife to “round up” the snakes for the Sweetwater event.

“It’s just like going fishing — if you catch them, you catch them,” said Berryman, who also coordinates the annual cook-off.

Judging for the 17th annual Rattlesnake Round-Up cookoff will take place at the Newman Park grounds at 11 a.m.

Saturday. Categories include brisket, chicken, chili, snake and ribs. The Girl Scouts will also participate with a salsa and dessert contest. Admis-

“He was so cute with his big eyes and big smile; I fell in love with him the minute I saw him.”

Lauren Hart, GATA chaplain

The guarded wall gives the children a sense of security, Hart said. “[El Salvador] is what you might consider to be a thirdworld country,” Hart said.

Most children want to enter the guarded facility, which is managed by a missionary family in El Salvador supported by Oak Hills Church in San Antonio; various families, groups and churches in the U.S. adopt children.

Unfortunately, only the children who have been adopted are allowed to enter the inside the wall.

About once a month, the women of GATA are asked to donate what they can into a designated jar that has been decorated with a picture of Nelson on it. Hart said the women of GATA usually end up with about $30 dollars a month; the required amount is $25.

The money goes toward Nelson’s school uniform, which is required to attend school, extra clothing, and food for Nelson and his family.

Last week, the women of GATA decorated handmade cards to send to Nelson, which will be delivered by this year’s Spring Break Campaign to El Salvador.

Hart said she is looking forward to hearing good news about Nelson’s condition and might receive a few more pictures of him from the campaigners.

“We really wanted to serve someone else and love someone in a country that is so underprivileged,” Hart said.

E-mail Williams at: optimist@acu.edu

Page 4

Friday, March 10, 2006

CAMPUS NEWS

Honors presents new opportunities n Students who choose to participate in the Honors program will take Honors courses, perform service work and complete a capstone project.

By BLYTHE THOMPSON Student Reporter

Among new roommates, a new town and a new school, another thing on the minds of some incoming freshmen will be whether or not to enroll in the Honor’s Program.

To attain admission into the program, students must meet many requirements. An SAT score of 1200, an ACT score of 27 and graduating in the top 10 percent of the student’s graduating high school class or a grade point average of 3.75 acts as an automatic qualifier into the Honor’s Program.

If those necessities are not met, students can still fill out an application at www.acu. edu/honors to be reviewed under other criteria, such as evidence of high ability or motivation.

Once in the program, students must take 18 hours of honors classes to finish the lower level of the program.

Honor’s classes are offered to all students, but the program recommends that students start as freshmen to finish the lower level by their sophomore year. But for latebeginners, special consideration will take place with the main emphasis being grades.

Some seniors decided to reach for the highest honor by finishing capstone projects, which are due April 17.

Joe Stephenson, professor of English, is the supervisor of Honor’s Program capstone projects.

“Capstone is a project in the student’s major which involves research and often involves service or a practical application such as an internship,” Stephenson said.

“Ideally, the capstone allows a student to finish his or her undergraduate career with an interesting project that will prepare the student for graduate study or the workplace.”

Seniors who are working on their capstone projects this semester include Amy Connell, senior international studies major from Marietta, Ga. Connell is completing her capstone in conjunction with an internship at the International Rescue Committee in Abilene, which is titled “Adaptation to a New Land: The International Refugee Experience in the United States.”

To remain in the program, students must begin with a 3.2 grade point average. But for every semester that the student stays in the program, the GPA requirement increases a tenth of a point.

Those who finally arrive at graduation having completed both the lower level and capstone project will be recognized at commencement by wearing a golden stole and have their capstone project mentioned.

E-mail Thompson at: optimist@acu.edu

Honors requirements • An SAT score of 1200; ACT score of 27 • Must have graduated in top 10 percent of high school class or have a GPA of 3.75 • For lower level honors requirements, students must take 18 hours of honors classes • To remain in the program, students must begin with a 3.2 GPA; for every semester they remain after that, the GPA requirement increases a tenth a point.

• For those completing highest honors, a capstone project must be turned in April 17.

Dangers of drinking and driving

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Mark Sterner talks to students during the Chapel forum about drinking and driving Tuesday in Moody as a part of Healthy Relationships Week. During his spring break one year, Sterner wrecked a rented Lincoln Town Car because he was drunk and killed three of his best friends who were in the car with him.

Education majors use classes to teach others n Students interested in an educational career must student teach for a semester in Abilene, the surrounding areas or even abroad before graduation.

By SHERRI SNYDER Student Reporter

Forty-eight students are teaching in Abilene and the surrounding areas this semester to fulfill degree requirements for teacher certification.

Student teaching is an opportunity and requirement for students interested in an educational career to put what they have learned into practice.

After fulfilling degree requirements and completing 45 hours of classroom observing, students teach in a public or private school classroom with the aid of the regular teacher who will guide and evaluate the student teacher.

“Student teaching shows you how to teach, but gives

you a safety net,” said Cory Smith, senior secondary education major from Temple, who will student teach in the fall.

Students can be well prepared, Smith said, but it all changes when they actually get in the classroom. He said he thinks the Department of Education has done an adequate job in preparing him for his career.

Chantery A. Fritts, professor emeritus, acted as chair of the Department of Education for 34 years and now works part-time as a student teacher supervisor. He said he also thinks students are well prepared through the training they receive at ACU and as a student teacher.

“They are so well prepared by everybody, when I get them as a student teacher, I get to enjoy the fruits of everyone else’s labor,” he said.

Nine of the students are “remote,” meaning they

work in small school districts at least 50 miles from Abilene. Students also have the option to teach outside the United States if the Department of Education believes that they have the professional support they require to succeed in a remote area. They might even teach in places such as Thailand, Germany and Montevideo, Uruguay.

Each week the student teachers meet with professors from the department to evaluate the week and discuss their progress in the classroom. Additionally, once a month the department has a special event for the student teachers. Last Monday, principals from area schools met at ACU to set up mock interviews to show the students what to expect when they apply for a position and are asked to interview.

Jerita Whaley, director of field experience, keeps in contact with student

teachers in Abilene and remote areas as well.

“We love to watch them teach. We see them putting into practice things they’ve learned,” she said.

Thirty-four students have applied to student teach for the fall semester.

The cut-off date for fall semester applications has passed; the deadline for next spring is in October.

Whaley occasionally observes students in the classroom, as well to watch them grow as a teacher and learn from their mistakes.

“I feel good about the students we send out, she said. They are committed to helping students learn.

More than anything they are committed to Jesus Christ, and that makes a difference.”

E-mail Snyder at: optimist@acu.edu

Faculty members perform in concert series after spring break n Two faculty members of the Music Department will perform free of charge during the week after spring break as part of the faculty artist series.

By MICHELLE JIMENEZ Student Reporter

A university-commission­ ed Centennial musical piece will premiere at the Music Department’s Faculty Artist Series’ next performance.

The event will be at 8 p.m., March 21 in the Williams Performing Arts Center Recital Hall and will feature saxophonist Dr. Eric Wilson, director of bands and associ-

ate professor of music, and said. “It’s intriguing, chal- music theory, on the piano. his collaborations with other lenging and exciting to work Dr. Allen Teel, associate promusic faculty members. on a new piece.” fessor of music, will also asHis performance will conThe faculty members col- sist Wilson with the concert. sist of generally classical laborating with Wilson are For the past three years, music, spanning several hun- Dr. Greg Straughn, chair of professors have been disdred years, playing their as well as musical tala special ent for the “It gives people that might not ever have a chance, to Abilene comCentennial hear music; It’s a free concert so they can just come.” munity free piece composed by of charge.

Dr. Greg Straughn, chair of the Music Department Dr. Sally P e o p l e Reid, assofrom across ciate proAbilene and fessor of neighboring music. the Music Department, on towns come to the univer“It’s been a desire of mine the cello; Dan Mitchell, music sity to hear what Dr. Greg to have a performance in the professor, on the guitar; and Straughn, chair of the Music Faculty Artist Series,” Wilson Pauline Bjorem, professor of Department, describes as

“top-notch performers doing their favorite kinds of music.”

“It gives people a chance that might not ever have a chance, to hear music,” Straughn said. “It’s a free concert so they can just come.”

Wilson’s recital is not the only faculty performance this month.

Samuel Cook, artist-in-residence and assistant professor of voice, will perform at 8 p.m., March 24 in the WPAC Recital Hall.

E-mail Jimenez at: optimist@acu.edu

Faculty Artist Series • Two faculty artist concerts will occur after spring break: • Saxophonist Dr. Eric Wilson, director of bands and associate professor of music, 8 p.m., March 21 in the Williams Performing Arts Center Recital Hall • Samuel Cook, artist-inresidence and assistant professor of voice, 8 p.m., March 24 in the WPAC Recital Hall

March 10, 2006 Box Office Figures for the weekend of March 3-5, in millions.

Total grosses in parentheses.

1. Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Family Reunion — $12.6 ($47.7) 2. 16 Blocks — $11.9 (new) 3. Eight Below — $10.1 ($58.6) 4. Ultraviolet — $9.1 (new) 5. Aquamarine — $7.5 (new) 6. Pink Panther— $6.9 ($69.7) 7. Dave Chappelle’s Block Party — $6.2 (new) 8. Date Movie — $5.1 ($40.7) 9. Curious George — $4.5 ($49.3) 10. Firewall— $3.6 ($42.5)

Today’s Movies The Hills Have Eyes (R) — starring Aaron Stanford, Vinessa Shaw; directed by Alexander Aja. Remake of Wes Craven’s 1977 cult classic in which a family, while on a road trip to California, break down on the side of a deserted road but soon find out they’re not alone.

The Shaggy Dog (PG) — starring Tim Allen, Kristin Davis; directed by Brian Robbins.

Yet another remake, this time with Tim Allen as a workaholic deputy district attorney who’s infected with a top-secret serum that transforms him into a dog.

‘New York Times’ BestSeller List, Fiction Numbers indicate: current position, last week’s position and total weeks on the list.

1/1/2 The 5th Horseman,

by James Patterson 2/2/5 Cell, by Stephen King 3/3/153 The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown 4/-/1 The Templar Legacy,

by Steve Berry 5/4/6 The Last Templar,

by Raymond Khoury 6/-/1 The Two Minute Rule, by Robert Crais 7/6/2 In the Company of the Courtesan, by Sarah Dunant 8/-/1 The Old Wine Shades, by Martha Grimes 9/8/3 Lovers & Players, by Jackie Collins 10/5/3 Sea Change, by Robert B. Parker

Page 5

Chappelle, Brooklyn throw ‘Party’ to remember

By SARAH CARLSON Arts Editor

On a September day in 2004, residents from neighborhoods in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Dayton, Ohio, experienced “the greatest single day” of comedian Dave Chappelle’s career.

Using his celebrity connections with major rap, hip hop and soul artists, Chappelle gathered his performer friends together to treat a corner of Brooklyn to its own block party, documented in the appropriately named Dave Chappelle’s Block Party­ — a testament to the power of music and, as cliché as it is, the American dream.

The documentary/concert film begins with a scene of a Brooklyn bystander whose car won’t start. Chappelle has been roaming the streets the day before the concert with a bullhorn announcing the party, and he and his crew film the interaction of the bystander and another man trying to help him start his car.

Next, we travel back two days to Chappelle’s hometown of Dayton, Ohio, where he, again, roams the streets, announcing his concert and passing out golden tickets for random residents to travel by bus to Brooklyn for the free show. All types of people agree to come, from young black kids who worship Chappelle because of his Comedy Central show, or older white grandmothers who see him around town and just think he’s funny.

It’s after seeing the sequences in Dayton that the opening car repair scene makes sense. Chappelle is trying to show real people in real settings, ultimately bringing them all together

Overview Dave Chappelle’s Block Party PPP Rated: R (for language) Starring: Dave Chappelle, Mos Def, the Fugees, Erykha Baduh, Jill Scott, Kanye West, etc.

Directed by: Michel Gondry Release Date: March 3

for a concert, transcending the boundaries of race or social class for the sake of entertainment.

That summary may be slightly bloated. Chappelle’s intentions aren’t to change the world, just to deliver a great night of music to a variety of people. Still, through his endeavors, he manages to deliver an entertaining glimpse into the lives of the artists performing and those lucky enough to come along for the ride.

The highlights of the show come from Kanye West, Mos Def, The Roots, John Legend, Erykah Baduh, Jill Scott and, reunited for the first time in seven years, the Fugees. Even if you’re not into rap or hip hop, watching the performances intertwined with backstage encounters and Chappelle’s comedy is sure to have you smiling and wishing you had been there.

A highlight of the film comes from the marching band at Ohio Central State University, a group that’s invited by Chappelle to join the

Photo courtesy of www.rottentomatoes.com

Dave Chappelle plays the drums and cracks a few jokes in between musical acts at the block party he threw in September 2004 for a Brooklyn neighborhood in Dave Chappelle’s Block Party, now in theatres. caravan of charter buses from Ohio to New York to open the party. The students are starstruck and are thrilled to perform Jesus Walks alongside Kanye West, and to talk with Wyclef Jean of the Fugees about their futures.

Jean talks with the students, all of whom are black, about how lucky they are to have the opportunity to have an education and that they shouldn’t blame society or any other race for problems in their life. They have a say in their future, and they should make it the best they can. All are wide-eyed and encouraged, having heard what really is the heart of the film: taking advantage of opportunities and following your dreams.

The neighborhood Chappelle selects for the block

party is an area of Brooklyn where several famous rappers were raised, from Jay-Z to Mos Def to Biggie Smalls.

The artists were fortunate enough to strike it big, becoming successful in their fields but not forgetting their roots. Informal interviews with the stars are interspersed throughout, providing a glimpse into who they are, where they came from and the struggles it took to achieve success.

Block Party wouldn’t be a Chappelle production if it didn’t contain the comedian’s biting wit, killer timing and jokes about sensitive subjects, such as racism and the barrier between social classes. He comments about the disparity between certain neighborhoods in Brooklyn, how one street looks like The

Cosby Show coming back from a commercial break, while a street next to it looks more like Good Times. But, the jabs aren’t bitter or in bad taste, though, just honest.

Dave Chappelle’s Block Party is a great return for the comedian, who left his cable show and a $50 million contract in 2004 to visit Africa and clear his head.

The talent of Chappelle and all the artists is undeniable, and music fans shouldn’t be disappointed. We can only hope that Chappelle decides to return to the mainstream in some way or another, continuing to push the envelope but, most importantly, entertain us.

E-mail Carlson at: skc02a@acu.edu

Enchanted world of ‘Narnia’ coming to Cullen n The Campus Activities Board’s latest free movie is Disney’s ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,’ one of the top-grossing films of 2005.

By WHITNEY MANN Student Reporter

March 24, students can visit the magical land of Narnia for free, thanks to the Campus Activities Board.

The Disney movie The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, will be shown at 6:30 and 9 p.m in Cullen Auditorium the Friday after spring break.

Dustin Marshall, senior accounting major from Abilene, said he expects many students to attend the showing.

“I have not seen the movie, but we are excited to show it because of the good things we have heard about it,” Marshall said.

CAB shows a free movie in Cullen about every month, and CAB workers said The Chronicles of Narnia was popular in theatres, so attendance should be high.

For students, the movie is free, but without a student ID it costs $1. CAB also provides popcorn and candy for 25 cents and drinks for 50 cents.

“Everything that CAB does is for the students and their benefit,” said Marshall, who began volunteering for CAB last year and became an intern this year.

Kayla Anderson, junior English major from Waco, also helps with CAB activities. She said CAB’s basic job is to plan activities for students.

With big movies such as The Chronicles of Narnia, CAB members have thought about extending the show times from only 6:30 and 9 p.m., Anderson said, but they would not have enough time to set up.

College students are not the only ones who come to see the movies at Cullen, Anderson said. A lot of children come from the community to watch them as well, she said.

“We really wanted The Chronicles of Narnia be-

cause we are aware of the excitement about this movie, and we want to play movies most people will enjoy,” Anderson said.

Before each movie begins, CAB gives out a gift certificate for either a type of entertainment or food and announce what movie will play the next month.

Besides movies, CAB organizes other events every month such as “free nights out” and concerts.

For more information about upcoming events and how to become a CAB volunteer, e-mail cab@acu.edu.

E-mail Mann at: optimist@acu.edu

Page 6

March 10, 2006

Don’t let spring break you The issue:

Students will leave campus for spring break next week.

Our view:

Spring break is a great time to have fun and kick back.

Just be safe while you’re at it.

The solution:

Here are a few tips to stay safe and have fun this break.

Friday, students will abandon ACU in a mass exodus for more exotic locales, different climates, and for some, home sweet home.

For most of you, your mothers aren’t here to remind you to eat healthy, wear sunscreen and drive carefully. So we get to do it.

This only happens a couple times a year, so please indulge us.

Emergency contacts: Please, please, don’t drive out into the wild blue yonder without letting somebody know where you’re going and what you’re doing.

In an age of cell phones and instant wireless Internet access, we rarely think of the possibility of losing touch with one another. However, cell phones can still be lost

or get brofriends playFor most of you, your mothers aren’t here to your ken, and you ing “bloody knuckremind you to eat healthy, wear sunscreen les” in the back won’t always have access seat. It’s great to and drive carefully. So we get to do it. to a computhave a week off and er.

Have a enjoy the advenback up plan, just in case. you are primarily traveling ture. It’s not great to have it Be kind to your body: to serve, so pack light and cut short by an accident that If you’re going some- with service activities in could be avoided. Pay attenwhere sunny and tropical, mind. Whether it’s working tion, watch the road and not be sensible. Wear sunscreen with kids, serving inner-city your buddies, and rememand pack appropriate gear homeless, or building a Hab- ber, that it’s better to be safe for the activities you will be itat for Humanity house, you then sorry. involved in. No one wants will need different clothes Be a smart traveler: to have their spring break then you’re probably used OK, here’s the cardinal wrecked by failure to plan to wearing on campus. rule for travelers.

Don’t ahead, so think about what Drive safely: wave large wads of money kind of things you really Whether you’re driving to around, and don’t wear a need. the airport, home or to Tim- fanny pack. Let’s face it, If you’re going on a buktoo, more car accidents that is so the ’90s. Seriously, Spring Break Campaign, re- happen during spring break though, avoid being marked member that everywhere is then any other time of the as a tourist. Even if you’re not as fortunate as we are year. You’re tired, excited staying in the U.S., pickpockto have beautiful weather in to be out of school, and dis- ets thrive in most major citMarch. Also remember that tracted by loud music and ies, and wearing your wal-

Students begin scattering side attention shouldn’t to all corners of the country change students’ and the and world today as Spring university’s response one bit, Break Campaigns begin and it does make the portrayal of willing stu- that response even more imdents take portant. the GosSo far, university adminpel and the istrators have responded admessage of mirably, agreeing to welcome Christ to and facilitate the visit. No stupeople they dents will be forced to particdo not know ipate in the discussions, but and have the university and Equality never met.

Ride have made several opAsk the A com- portunities available to meet Question m e n d a b l e together for dialogue. goal to be Even the Equality Ride Web Jonathan sure as stu- site had positive comments Smith dents try about the university and its to live out the words of the administration: Great Commission. But stu“Abilene Christian Unidents will be faced with per- versity has extended a warm haps even another critical welcome to the Soulforce Great Commission test when Equality Ride,” according they return to Abilene from to the Web site www.equalitheir trips. tyride.com. “ACU administraThe Soulforce Equality tors have worked with SoulRide, a gay/lesbian/bisexual/ force Equality Ride members transgender activist group, to come up with a day of will arrive on campus March scheduled activities. The 27 to engage in discussions members of the Soulforce about discrimination against Equality Ride look forward to homosexuality. our day at ACU and are conUnlike Spring Break Cam- fident that it will be an excelpaigns, that day students lent learning opportunity for won’t have the all involved.” option about The next step whether or not is for students to Regardless of they want to pardecide how they how the other ticipate or be conwill respond when visits go, ACU fronted with the Equality Ride arissue.

Students students should rives on campus. can decide their Students can be determined level of involvewatch the news to to show Jesus to find out how the ment, but with a those who freely other six stops group of several come to this dozen on campus, on the trip have total avoidance gone, if we are campus hopewill be difficult. the first univerfully seeking Though this sity to welcome discussion. university is them on campus, Equality Ride’s reactions largely seventh stop on will be unknown. the month-and-a-half tour, Regardless of how the ACU very well could be the other visits go, ACU students first university to openly wel- should be determined to come the group on campus. show Jesus to those who freeWe will know more about ly come to this campus hopethe group’s intentions and fully seeking discussion. methods Friday as the group Granted, it is much easier begins its tour in Lynchburg, to be able to fit showing Jesus Va., at Liberty University, to people into your schedule which apparently will not al- on a one-week campaign. But low the group on campus. it is perhaps a more meanJust as other universities ingful and difficult display and people around the coun- of Christ when we aren’t the try will watch with interest ones controlling and initiatthe reactions of the Equality ing the discussion.

Riders when they are not alSo go ye into all the world lowed on campus, anticipa- next week, but come March tion will be high regarding 19, be ready to be Jesus to all the reactions of the group those you encounter here in and members of the first uni- our own small world. versity to allow them on campus and engage in discussion with them.

E-mail Smith at: Although media and outjvs02a@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu

This paper is very valuable. Really.

Don’t throw away this newspaper. Ever.

The editors don’t really care if you read the whole t h i n g through, just don’t throw it in the trashcan.

Though recycling on campus has become Much Ado more difAbout ficult this Something year, you can do inJaci numerable Schneider creative and useful things with a used newspaper, and none of them includes trashing it.

Now, the most obvious use of this work of journal-

Don’t throw away this newspaper.

Ever.

istic perfection is to turn it into an equally perfect hat. With rain predicted, you will want a hat to protect your perfectly styled hair. Who wouldn’t want to traipse around campus with a super-cool triangleshaped cap. Few students would want to be the only fashion faux pas without one.

For all those gardeners on campus, newspapers can come in quite handy when harvesting tomatoes.

Just pluck a green tomato, wrap it in a few sheets of newsprint, and violá, a few weeks later, you’ve got a ripe, tasty tomato, perfect

for BLTs and fresh salads.

Newspapers also save your life when you completely forgot about buying a gift for someone’s graduation or wedding party. Grab a piece of junk lying around the house, wrap it in layer upon layer of paper, and you’re the hit of the party — except of course for the person who receives your gift.

Twice a week, up to 5,000 Optimists come hot off the presses for your reading enjoyment. At 8-12 pages each, that’s 120,000 newspaper pages every week ending up in trashcans and landfills.

But not if everyone pitches in to help. If you already own a cool hat or bought a gift for your party, you can always toss your newspaper into a recycling bin on campus.

And, if you can’t make it to a recycling drop-off point, this paper will make itself worthwhile in a couple of months when you’re packing your belongings into boxes to move home and don’t want to break your snow globes.

And, if you’re really, really bored, you could actually read it. But only if you’re really bored. And the TV is broken.

E-mail Schneider at: jrs02a@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu

In Your Words

What are you doing for spring break?

“I’m going to Boston to see a friend.”

“GSP bike ride to Pepperdine.”

“Leading a campaign to Columbus, Ga.”

Stephanie Kelsey

Blake Browder

Jonathan Diaz

senior English major from Riudoso, N.M.

junior electronic media major from Arlington

sophomore elementary education major from Denton

Editorial and letter policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration.

Signed columns, cartoons and letters are the opinions of their creators and may not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the Optimist or the university.

The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors or to refuse to print letters containing personal

attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous information or invasion of privacy.

Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published.

Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu

E-mail the Optimist at: optimist@acu.edu

Be transformed, on and off campus

Alex York

Guest comic

let in an obvious place, or turning your back on your purse mark you as a prime target. Don’t give thieves the opportunity. Be smart about where your money is and how you carry it and only have as much as you need. ATMs are everywhere, so you likely don’t need all of the money for your entire trip at one time.

Last but definitely not least: After you leave college, spring break is history.

Make it a history worth remembering. Have fun, be safe, and return to campus with a refreshed spirit and new perspective.

Editorial and Management Board Jonathan Smith Editor in Chief

Published by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication Newsroom: (325) 674-2439

Sports desk: (325) 674-2684

Mallory Sherwood Managing Editor

Jaci Schneider

Dani Linthicum

Jared Fields

Christi Stark

Opinion Editor

Sports Editor

Advertising Manager

Brian Schmidt

Sarah Carlson

Kenneth Pybus

Chief Photographer

Arts Editor

Adviser

Copy Editor

Photo department: (325) 674-2499

Advertising office: (325) 674-2463

Subscriptions ($40/academic year): (325) 674-2296.

Online: www.acuoptimist.com

Friday, March 10, 2006

Page 7

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

GSP: Men to ride to Pacific coast in 10-mile shifts Continued from page 1 is not fatal though, like other types of OI, and he can still do normal activities as long as he has his service dog, Hali.

Matt has been confined to a wheelchair since he was two years old, said Mark Phillips, and he just received a new wheelchair this year.

“Matt does really well in dealing with the fractures,” Mark Phillips said. “He gets discouraged sometimes, but I would say nine out of 10 days he is optimistic and happy.”

Mark Phillips said Matt, a fourth-grader at Wylie Elementary, normally has three to four fractures in a year, but they have stopped counting.

For many people with OI, they could have as few or as many as 300 fractures in a lifetime.

“Normal activities that would be no big deal to us, like catching a ball or even throwing a ball, would break a bone in Matt,” he said.

No cure exists for OI, although researchers continue to search for one. Foundations like

the OIFoundation are national organizations that provide support for people and their families with the disease, as well as research and education, Mark Phillips said. He said one promising research is gene therapy.

He said researchers are trying to locate the gene that actually causes bones to form incorrectly, so they can either repair or replace it.

For now, people like Matt can either watch what they do or have surgery to place metal rods along the long bones in the body, mainly leg and arm bones, Mark Phillips said.

Matt Phillips, the inspiration behind GSP’s fundraiser, will be present when the group leaves Friday and will talk with the men before they leave for California.

“He’s pretty excited about the whole idea,” Mark Phillips said. “He loves fundraisers and loves the idea of them riding bikes.”

The ride Two groups of 10 men will leave from the circle drive in

front of the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies building, each person riding 10 miles at a time before switching with another member of the group. While one person rides, the other members of the group follow behind in a car and in front of the rider in a truck that carries additional bikes.

“It sounds really crazy to say we’re riding bikes to California in two and a half days, but members of our group did this in 2003, so we know it can be done,” Scott said.

Scott will be the first GSP member to ride Friday, and he will head towards Brownsfield. By the time they reach Brownsfield, which is nearly 200 miles away, all members of group one will have each rode 20 miles. Meanwhile, group two will be catching up on sleep so they can begin their leg of the journey in Brownsfield around 10 or 11 p.m.

Because of federal law and safety reasons, the bikers will not ride on interstates. Instead, they have closely followed the path set up by previous mem-

bers of GSP. The main cities they will travel through include: Roswell and Globe, N.M., Datil and Phoenix, Ariz., and Beaumont, Calif.

Griffith, one of three leaders of the trip, said once in California, the bikers will ride south of Los Angeles and up the Pacific Coast Highway through Laguna Beach to Malibu, their final destination.

After Monday, the men will enjoy the sights of Malibu and the hospitality of those who live there.

“We have been so blessed throughout this whole process,” Scott said. “People have said they’ll open their homes to us to feed us; Pepperdine is housing us and giving us one meal a day, and other students from Abilene who live there have talked to their parents about having us over for dinner and to church.”

The group also has tickets to go to the game show The Price is Right.

“If one of us has the opportunity to go on stage and play, and Bob Barker asks us

what we’re doing in California, think of what an incredible opportunity to raise awareness of OI,” Griffith said. “We can say, ‘Twenty of us rode a bike from Abilene, Texas, to raise money for the OIFoundation.’ That would do more for the foundation than we can imagine.”

When spring break ends, the men will ride home in vehicles instead of bike riding.

Lending a hand Since members of GSP began collecting donations for the OIFoundation, more than $5,000 has been raised, Scott said. He said the club didn’t set a goal for how much money it wanted to raise, and members didn’t have to reach a set amount either.

This is partly because they didn’t want to limit themselves, and also because the fundraising could continue throughout the semester, he said.

“The bike ride is only one part of this thing,” Scott said.

“When we get back, we also want to maybe set up a ping pong tournament in Bennett

Gym where students could play ping pong to continue raising money.

All proceeds donated will go directly to the OIFoundation for further research on the disease.

Scott said members sent letters and asked friends and family to donate money. A club member also set up a Paypal account on GSP’s Web site where people can donate money online using credit cards. The Web site is www.gsp-kinsmen.com.

“Everyone has been very supportive,” Scott said. “We’ve raised $5,000 so far, and money keeps coming in every day.”

In addition to money raised by members sending letters or by members asking others to donate, other social clubs on campus also have donated more than $1,000 to the fundraiser.

“This is such a neat memory to have,” Scott said: “riding a bike to California with some of my best friends so we can raise money for kids who won’t have the chance to even ride a bike.”

E-mail Sherwood at: mes02e@acu.edu

SA: Candidates ‘ahead of the curve’ Continued from page 1

EMERALD Mcgowan/Staff Photographer

Leo Seymour of Bontke Brothers cuts rebar for the Walk/Job track Tuesday. Work will continue down East North 16th Street through March.

Track: Work blocks parking entrances Continued from page 1 Washington Boulevard and is adjacent to the already existing lot on the corner of Washington and East North 16th Street.

Ellison sent a campuswide e-mail March 1 detailing the closures, and said the Police Department is working with Bontke Brothers Construction Company to notify the campus community of traffic problems caused by the construction.

Ellison has also been notified of problems the construction workers have had with students writing in the wet cement.

“Our concrete crews have had to stop work on the trail and repair or otherwise eradicate the damage,” said Bob Nevill, director of Physical Resources, in an e-mail. “Fortunately, the large majority of our students are very responsible, and these problems have been minimal.”

Ellison said the majority of the graffiti occurred while the track was being constructed along Campus Court in front of Mabee and Edwards halls and the Brown Library. He said he doesn’t want to blow the

issue out of proportion, but he wants students to be sensitive to the fact that a certain donor contributed a large amount of money for the track to be built.

“There’s a donor who’s very graciously given money to the university for this track,” Ellison said. “It’s sad to see graffiti every 10 feet. Seeing ‘Johnny loves Susie’ engraved into sidewalks doesn’t really sit well with the donor when he tours the track he helped pay for.”

Construction on the track began in November, with workers pouring concrete and installing lights as they go. Nevill said activating the lights takes longer than constructing the track because they must terminate electrical wiring, backfill trenches and secure local government inspections and utility connections. He also said most of the landscaping for the trail should be completed by the beginning of June.

Nevill said the construction will continue down East North 16th Street for most of March.

E-mail Carlson at: skc02a@acu.edu

ulate Facebook.com is like trying to regulate blogs or emails. He said it isn’t specifically addressed in the election rules, and so it would be silly to try to address it after the fact.

“I think people are realizing what a valuable resource Facebook and other Internet mediums are,” Scott said.

“They are ahead of the curve this year. We can’t try to punish them for something we

never thought about.”

Booker agreed.

“Campaign rules exist so that there is equity in the campaigning process and so the university is not defaced,” she said. “They aren’t meant to stunt creativity, and frankly, those who had Facebook groups created for them or by them were very clever.”

For those not ahead of the game yet, the official process begins March 29, when petitions are available for all interested candidates. Petitions

can be picked up in the SA office, and candidates must have 10 percent of the student population’s signatures collected by April 5. As soon as a petition is complete, the candidate can begin campaigning.

On April 6 debates begin between candidates vying for the same position and April 11 voting begins.

Students interested in running for president, vice president or treasurer of SA must meet a few requirements.

To run for SA president, the candidate must have been a student at the university for at least three years and they must have senior hours by fall 2006. To run for vice president or treasurer, the candidate must have been a student for at least two years and have junior hours by fall 2006. All positions require a minimum grade point average of 2.5.

E-mail Sherwood at: mes02e@acu.edu

Service: About 75 projects planned Continued from page 1 The participants will do service projects in their hometowns and communities and then send pictures and comments to the Alumni Office.

To participate people just have to register their project ideas on the Week of Service Web site. They can be doing the project as part of another campaign or mission trip.

“It’s been very heartening to see the variety of volunteer services that our alumni provide in their hometowns and

communities,” Craig said.

“They’re all the little things that add up to make a big difference in our world.”

The week of service is part of the Centennial Celebration, and Dr. Money sent an e-mail to faculty and staff encouraging them to get involved, Craig said. The President’s Cabinet even approved four hours of service work to count for hours in the office, she said.

“I’m proud to be from a university where everyone takes the mission to heart,”

Craig said.

As of Wednesday, Craig had about 75 projects registered, with more continuing to come in.

Brad Mick, sophomore human communication major from Fort Worth, will participate by painting and cleaning up in New Orleans. He will go to New Orleans with Richland Hills Church of Christ in Fort Worth, but he registered the project with Wildcat Week of Service, too.

“God has blessed us with homes and families, and we

just figured this would be a good way for our family to spend time together helping other families,” Mick said on his registration form.

Everyone who participates in the week, will receive a Tshirt, even Spring Break Campaign members. Craig said she’s looking forward to the week.

“I look forward to seeing the pictures and reading the stories,” she said.

E-mail Schneider at: jrs02a@acu.edu

Forum: Planners hope for discussion Continued from page 1 is an effort to “springboard the conversation in a positive way about lifestyle diversity.”

Students are welcome to ask questions or write questions on note cards to remain anonymous.

Sisson, junior elementary education major from San Jose, Calif., said the forum is “for people to gain a better understanding and also bring their own understanding to

the discussion from their experience.

“It’s lots of discussion, people can come and ask questions,” Sisson said.

The co-directors said they want to create an environment in which people can debate the topic in a good way and have a better understanding of how to talk with those of a different background.

Sisson said she wants people to be able to talk with people who have other lifestyles

without condemning them.

Jacob Reitan, co-director of the Soulforce Equality Ride, said Soulforce members hope students will engage in conversation the next Monday when his group arrives.

“We have a very important message that we are bringing.

Even if at this point you think you disagree, to engage yourself and think about it, even if you don’t change your heart and mind on the issue,” Reitan said. “We hope to come

and share our stories and listen to what students say.”

Though the Soulforce members will be on a schedule, Reitan said Soulforce is interested in speaking to any students willing to converse.

“We are thrilled about meeting and engaging the students and getting to know each other as individuals,” he said.

E-mail Josey at: optimist@acu.edu

Page 8

March 10, 2006 Standings BASEBALL

Team Div. TAMU-K 0-0 ACU 0-0 ENMU 0-0 Angelo St. 0-0 Tarleton St. 0-0 0-0 WTAMU

Overall 14-1 17-2 16-4 12-6 6-14 4-12

SOFTBALL Team ACU TAMU-K

Tarleton St. ENMU Angelo St. TX Woman’s

Div. 3-1 1-3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Overall 16-6 9-16 15-6 18-10 14-13 8-15

Scores

Tennis teams roll past Cameron n The men’s and women’s tennis teams beat Cameron University on Tuesday, improving the men’s record to 6-2, and the women’s record to 13-2.

By MICHAEL FREEMAN Sports Writer

The Cameron University tennis teams still may not know what hit them last Tuesday. But, the ACU tennis teams know.

Both the women’s and men’s Wildcat teams steam-

Tennis rolled Cameron earlier this week; the women won 8-1, and the men won 6-3.

In their games Tuesday, the Wildcat women played against Cameron University in Lawton, Okla. The women beat the Aggies with relative ease. For the women, this victory was the seventh straight over Cameron in the past six years.

For both the men and the women, Tuesday’s vic-

tory followed a couple of victories from the previous week.

On Feb. 28, the women defeated Tarleton State University 7-2, and the team’s record is now 13-2.

The men also competed with Cameron Tuesday, with Casper Steenkamp, Jason Ray and Ryan Hudson bringing in crucial three-set victories. The men also took every doubles match, but not without a fight. The men’s record is now 6-2.

Hutton Jones, head tennis coach, said the win was big for the team.

“To go on the road and get a win like this is big for our guys,” Jones said. “We’ve played a lot of 5-4 matches against Cameron in the last few years, and this one was just as close as any of those.

This is a great way to start off a big week for us.”

Last Saturday, the men trounced the New Mexico Military Institute 9-0. Every match ended with a Wildcat

win in straight-sets.

This weekend, the women and the men travel through the heart of Texas to play against three teams. On Saturday, both the women and men face St. Mary’s University in San Marcos and St. Edwards University in Austin. On Sunday, both Wildcat teams take on Midwestern State University in New Braunfels

E-mail Freeman at: mxf04b@acu.edu

Saturday

Softball ACU 5, Texas A&M-Kingsville 3 Texas A&M-Kingsville 5, ACU 4 Baseball ACU 8, Northeastern State 7 ACU 8, Northeastern State 2

Upcoming Schedule Friday Baseball ACU at Southeastern Oklahoma State, 1 p.m. (DH) Softball ACU at St. Edward’s Tournament Indoor track ACU at NCAA Division II Championships, Boston

Saturday Baseball ACU at Southeastern Oklahoma State, noon (DH) Softball ACU at St. Edward’s Tournament Indoor track ACU at NCAA Division II Championships, Boston Men’s Tennis ACU at St. Mary’s, 9 a.m.

ACU at St. Edward’s, 2:30 p.m.

Women’s Tennis ACU at St. Mary’s, 9 a.m.

ACU at St. Edward’s, 2 p.m.

Sunday Men’s Tennis ACU at Midwestern State, New Braunfels, 2 p.m.

Women’s Tennis ACU at Midwestern State, New Braunfels, 2 p.m.

• Home games listed in italics

Indoor Track & Field Athletes competing in the 2006 NCAA Division II Indoor National Championships and the event: Women: Kim Prather – 60m, 200m Shawna-Kaye Thompson – 60mh, 200m Keva Wilkins – 400m Azraa Rounds – 400m Brooklyn Hunt – 400m Trina Cox – mile, 5K Olha Kryv’yak – mile, 5K Jessica Withrow – HJ Angie Aguilar – PV 4x400-meter relay (B. Hunt, J. Hunt, A. Rounds, K. Prather) Distance medley relay — (Kryv’yak, B. Hunt, Venessa Whittle, Trina Cox) Men: Marvin Bien-Aime – 200m Delt Cockrell – 400m Montez Pride – 400m Nicodemus Naimadu – mile, 5K Yevgen Pashchenko – LJ, TJ Vladyslav Gorbenko – TJ 4x400-meter relay (E. Garus-Oab, M. Pride, Jordan Johnson, D. Cockrell) Distance medley relay (M. Pride, Naimadu, Chirchir, Birgen)

Track treats nationals as training for outdoor n This weekend the men’s and women’s track teams look to repeat last year’s success at the NCAA Division II National Indoor Championships where the men won and the women placed second as a team.

By STEVE HOLT Sports Writer

Friday marks day one of two for the NCAA Division II Indoor National Championships, taking place at the Reggie Lewis Athletic Center in Boston. The Wildcat men’s team will go for its fifth straight indoor title, while the women’s team will try to break a five-year title drought.

But head coach Don Hood has said all season that his teams would reach their peak performance at the outdoor national meet in May, and that the indoor season would be treated as a time for training.

“We’re just not going to sell the farm for indoor,” Hood said. “If we win, that’s great. If we don’t, we’ve got outdoor to look forward to.”

The women’s team looks to be one of the strongest and deepest in recent years, but it will need to outperform 2005 outdoor national champion Lincoln University if it is to win its first title since 2000.

The Wildcat women will be led by four athletes who are running two events each: sophomore ShawnaKaye Thompson and freshman Kim Prather in the 60-meter hurdles and the 200-meter dash; and Trina Cox and Olha Kryv’yak in the mile and 5,000-meter run.

Hood said he believes these athletes, especially Prather and Thompson, will need to perform at their best if ACU is to have a shot at a national championship.

“On the women’s side, Lincoln has great depth in the sprints. For us to win, we have to break up their top three,” Hood said. “If we can jump in there and get 8 of those and knock them down three or four points, we have a chance.”

ACU’s distance duo — Cox and Kryv’yak — will also need to run to win, Hood said.

“We can’t win the championship with a bunch of seventh-place finishes,” Hood said.

ACU’s best hopes for automatic team points lie in its 4x400-meter and distance medley relay teams, and junior Angie Aguilar.

Aguilar goes into Saturday’s pole vault with the second-best height — 12 feet, 10.5 inches — in Division II. A big vault from Aguilar on Saturday would translate into big points for the Wildcat women, who have fewer field event athletes competing than past years.

The 4x400-meter relay team will get its shot at glory in the final event of the meet late Saturday afternoon. The squad, comprised

brian schmidt/Chief Photographer

Jessica Hunt receives a handoff from Kimberly Prather on Wednesday at Elmer Gray Stadium while practicing for the 4x400-meter relay.

Indoor Track & Field

brian schmidt/Chief Photographer

Junior triple jumper Vladyslav Gorbenko warms up with a hurdle drill on the track Wednesday before the national indoor meet. of seniors Brooklyn and Jessica Hunt, freshman Azraa Rounds and Prather, goes into the competition with the third-best time in the nation. Perhaps the biggest surprise on the women’s side this season

has been the distance medley relay team — made up of Kryv’yak, Brooklyn Hunt, Vanessa Whittle and Cox — which ran a school record of 11:49.56 earlier this season.

The men’s team qualified fewer athletes than recent seasons, but Hood still believes they are the favorites to take home the hardware.

“I think we still should win it with what we have,” Hood said of his men’s team.

The men will have to overcome perennial favorites St. Augustine’s and Adams State (Colo.), however, if it is to pick up its 14th indoor national title.

The Wildcat men will pick up allbut automatic points from sophomore sensation Nicodemus Naimadu, who will run in both the mile and the 5,000-meter run, an event in which he set an indoor school record of 13:42.29 earlier this season.

Naimadu could surprise the competition in the men’s mile as well, potentially posting a time down near four minutes.

ACU’s jumpers will look to continue their winning ways as well.

Junior Vladyslav Gorbenko will be a favorite to take away a title in the triple jump, an event in which he has

the second-best mark in the nation entering the national meet. Teammate Yevgen Pashchenko, a senior, has the third-best mark in the event.

Pashchenko also will compete in the long jump.

Along with the long jump, the men’s distance medley relay will take place on Friday. Hood said the relay team — comprised of Montez Pride, Naimadu, David Chirchir and Philip Birgen — likely will run a better time than it did earlier this season, and that he should know after Friday’s final events whether the Wildcat men have a shot at winning the national championship.

“If we come out of those events with a couple of good finishes, we should have a good chance to win,” Hood said. “If we do poorly on Friday, I’d say we’re in trouble.”

The 2006 NCAA Division II Indoor National Championships will begin Friday at noon with assorted field events, and running events will begin at 5 p.m. and run concurrently all evening. All events taking place Saturday will be final events, beginning with field events at 10 a.m. and running events at 3 p.m.

E-mail Holt at: smh00a@acu.edu

Spring break means working out kinks for Wildcats n The baseball team will travel to Southeastern Oklahoma State this weekend, then return home March 17-18 to play Southwestern Oklahoma State.

By DANIEL JOHNSON Sports Writer

While most students will be packing and working out travel plans for Spring Break this weekend, the No. 2 ranked ACU baseball team will do all business.

After overcoming the Northeastern State Redmen last weekend, the Wildcats are

Baseball looking to extend their 17-2 record this weekend on the road as they take on Southeastern Oklahoma State in an LSC crossover four-game series.

The Wildcats, in addition to picking up four more wins and retaining a high national ranking, are planning to work out all their offensive and defensive kinks in the remaining preseason before moving on to conference play in less than a month.

“We’re getting closer to conference play and need to raise our level,” said head coach Britt Bonneau. “These road games will serve as a good test, and we should come out of them more experienced.”

With three out-of-town series, one preseason and the other two conference series on the horizon, this weekend should serve as an assessment of what the Wildcats should expect later on in the season.

Southeastern State, under the direction of coach Mike Metheny, is coming off a two-

game sweep of ACU’s LSC South conference opponent Tarleton State. With a overall record of 5-6, the Southeastern Savage Storm should present an adequate test on the plate and field for the Wildcats.

For Bonneau, the keys to success this weekend and the rest of the year are consistency and intensity.

In preparation for conference play, Bonneau will use the upcoming games to test various line-ups and fill spots to find the best line-up. Although the Wild-

cats’ hitting hasn’t been as explosive as earlier in the season, Bonneau said he is pleased with his team’s persistence and determination to win games. If the Wildcats are able to continue playing with those same qualities, they should find more wins this weekend and the rest of the season.

Bonneau expects his four starting pitchers, Ben Maynard, Chris Woman, Stephen Miller and Bryan Kennedy to find the same consistency they have shown throughout the preseason. Currently,

ACU’s starting pitchers have only allowed 34 runs in 99 2/3 innings to reach a combined ERA of 3.07. In addition to the top four, Bonneau is aiming to get more experience for the bullpen and get more throws for senior Brandon Moore.

The Wildcats will follow their out of town series this weekend to take on Southwestern Oklahoma State in town, during the break March 17-18.

E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu