Vol. 94, No. 45 1 section, 10 pages
WEDNESDAY March 29, 2006
www.acuoptimist.com
Double the success
Open for debate
Sweeping victory
The softball team doubles their winning streak to eight, page 10
The debate team places sixth in a national tournament during spring break, page 3
The tennis teams sweep their tournament matches, page 10
Activist group concludes visit Students respond to Equality Riders
Soulforce realizes difference at ACU
n Feedback about Monday’s events ranged from appreciation for the discussion that took place to criticisms of the logic behind some opinions expressed.
n After six previous stops of not being allowed on campuses or facing severe restrictions, group members express appreciation for the university’s cooperation.
By DANI LINTHICUM Opinion Editor
By JONATHAN SMITH Editor in Chief
Members of Soulforce said they knew something was different about their stop at ACU minutes after setting foot on campus. They said even being given name tags to wear made them feel like their visit to Abilene was official — something they did not feel during their previous six stops. The university welcomed the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender activist group to campus Monday for a day of forums and Herrin conversations about the topic of homosexuality. Events, attended by hundreds of students, faculty and administrators throughout the day, focused on various aspects of homosexuality, such as violence, discrimination, portrayal in the media and stereotypes, and people on all sides of the conversations say they were encouraged by the discussion that took place. “It is a testament to academic freedom, democracy and Christianity that ACU was willing to engage in this dialogue with us,” said Haven Herrin, 24-year-old co-director of the Soulforce Equality Ride. Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life, said the group’s visit allowed all sides to move past stereotypes about Christians and homosexuals. “In society and around the world, one of our greatest struggles is painting See
SOULFORCE page 8
Emerald McGowan/Staff Photographer
Jake Reitan, co-director of the Soulforce Equality Ride, speaks to a group of ACU students at an informal dialogue in the Hilton Room on Monday. Members of Equality Ride participated in discussions and forums throughout the day regarding homosexuality and the Christian response.
Rider gives personal story of violence n Pam Disel said the experience of the 51-day Equality Ride tour has given her a new perspective on Christians once she was able to look past some stereotypes. By JACI SCHNEIDER and SARAH CARLSON Staff Writers
Less than two years ago, Pam Disel, 26, was walking across town with two newfound friends in Waikiki, Hawaii, when she sensed two men following her. The men approached from behind, taunting her, asking questions and trying to get her to admit she was homosexual. Although Pam tried to avoid
the men and find somewhere to escape, before she knew what happened, something struck her along the right side of her face, knocking her out. She woke up in a hospital with a swollen face, broken jaw, numerous fractures, damaged teeth and a long recovery ahead of her. Her two friends, however, were fine. “They left them alone,” Pam said. “They weren’t gay, I was.” Pam told her story to a captivated audience at a forum addressing hate crimes against homosexuals Monday morning in the Hilton Room See
RIDER page 8
By MITCH HOLT Staff Writer
Cody Veteto freshman journalism major from Tulsa, Okla., is recovering and responsive in St. Anthony Central Hospital in Denver but had been in an incommunicable state at for more than a month with his parents waiting and praying by his side. He was snowboarding on Feb. 25 with Scott Morrison, freshman electronic media major from Universal City, during the advanced skiing class trip in Winter Park, Colo. Wearing the helmet
See
VIEWPOINTS page 8
Evening forum evokes mixed student reactions n Panelists discussed the portrayal of sexuality in the media, particularly in the film ‘Brokeback Mountain,’ but some wished the topic could have been broader. By MALLORY SHERWOOD Managing Editor
Students and faculty left the final event of Soulforce’s Equality Ride visit with mixed feelings. The open forum discussed
sexuality and the media with most of the focus on Brokeback Mountain, a three-time Academy Award-winning film that told the story of two gay cowboys in Wyoming during the 1960s. Although the panelists articulated their points regarding specific questions, many students were disappointed at the lack of dialogue. “The whole night was basically a movie review,” said
Student recovers in Denver n Freshman Cody Veteto has been more responsive but remains in a Colorado hospital while he heals from injuries he sustained Feb. 25 on his class skiing trip.
Brian Schmidt/Chief Photographer
Pam Disel, member of the Soulforce Equality Ride, tells students during the morning forum Monday of how she was abused for being gay.
Many students said they think the Soulforce Equality Ride visit was positive for the campus. Alumnus Zach HerringtonShaner, class of 2004, said he thinks this is one of the best things that could happen at the university. “It will end the bubble and open up discussion on this topic,” Herrington-Shaner said. Several students who attended the open discussion times said they were glad Soulforce came, but a few also expressed apprehension about the discussions taking place. Some students said they were nervous about interaction with Soulforce members but were willing to try talking anyway. Some students, including Rolando Gutierrez, sophomore electronic media major from Torreon, Mexico, spent a majority of Monday attending forums and conversing with the riders. “I’ve been talking to several people,” Gutierrez said. “They’re very open, and there’s a lot of diversity within the group itself.” Some students expressed frustration with a lack of per-
and protective gear that saved his life, Veteto ran into a tree. “At first I thought he had just slid into the tree,” Morrison said. “But as I got closer I saw blood around the tree and I knew it was serious. I pulled his face back from the tree and it was covered in blood.” Morrison said he knew not to lay the injured student on his back because it would have kept him from breathing properly, so he maneuvered Veteto to his side and screamed to a passing skier for help. The skier happened to spot a paramedic at the top of the hill and brought him to the accident scene. From there, the unconscious Veteto was brought to the local
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
emergency clinic where he was placed on a ventilator, and his parents were called; shortly after, he was flown to the hospital in Denver. A month and three days later, Veteto now reacts to his name, occasionally turns his head and makes eye contact. Ken Veteto, Cody’s father, said last weekend was a turning point for his son. He had successful emergency surgery Sunday to fix a leak from the incision where his feeding tube goes, and he’s been more alert since then. “Many people have ministered to us in so many ways,” Ken Veteto said. “People are anticipating our needs, and I don’t know what we would See
VETETO page 9
Adam Dittemore, freshman psychology major from Everett, Wash. “They didn’t talk about the issues that people wanted to hear. “We live in reality here, and many people wanted to hear how homosexuality works in a Christian life and environment. Too much was focused on TV and movies instead of issues people deal with every day.” The forum began with panelists discussing broad questions
Residence hall sign-ups schedule Students can go online to www.acu.edu/reslifesignup to register for the residence hall lottery. Sign-ups for Morris and Edwards halls suites began Tuesday and closes Wednesday at 1 p.m. Students can sign up for Sikes and Edwards halls doubles at 8 p.m. Wednesday until 1 p.m. Thursday. Sign-ups for Adams and Smith halls doubles begins at 8 p.m. Thursday and ends 1 p.m. Monday. Students will be notified of their selection to a hall by 8 p.m. on the day of each hall’s deadline.
about how sexuality is portrayed positively or negatively in the media in the context of Christianity. Seven panelists spoke, including three representing the university: Dr. Richard Beck, chair of the Psychology Department; Dr. Ken Cukrowski, associate dean of the College of Biblical Studies; and Sarah Carlson, senior print journalism major from San Antonio. The other four were members
of Soulforce and included: Jacob Reitan from Eden Prairie, Minn., and Haven Herrin from Dallas, co-directors of Equality Ride; Jessie Sullivan from San Antonio and Alexey Bulokhov from Russia. The panelists also discussed how TV shows often portray sexuality, whether it is homosexual or heterosexual, in a negative way. See
FORUM page 8
Residence hall sign-ups begin n Freshmen could register for the lottery system used to determine residence hall placement beginning Tuesday, and the final deadline for signing up is Monday. By TAKISHA KNIGHT Page 2 Editor
As of Tuesday, students can register online for residence halls, but they don’t need to rush. Instead of placing students in residence halls based on the first-comefirst-serve principle, students will be assigned according to random selection, Rebecca Cates, assistant director of Residence Life, said.
Abilene Christian University
“This is a lottery process,” Cates said. “Room assignments are random.” Residence Life coordinators agree that the process is effective. The same method has been used in previous years. Cates said the lottery process allows students to show preference without penalizing those who might not have had opportunity to sign up for their hall immediately. Students can sign up for residence halls online at www. acu.edu/reslifesignup. No alternative way to sign up exSee HOUSING SIGN-UPS page 9
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