acuoptimist.com
Optimist the
Clean Sweep, page 8
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Vol. 99, No. 46
1 section, 8 pages
STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
Clubs to eliminate physical activities in pledging Calisthenics is defined as systematic rhythmic bodily exercises Editor in Chief performed, usually without appaPledging will look a little dif- ratus, according to Webster’s Dicferent next fall. Administrators tionary and the ACU Anti-Hazing eliminated the use of calisthen- Policy and Philosophy. “The changes that they have ics as an approved pledging activity and shortened pledging to come up with will give us a system that focuses more and more five weeks from six weeks.
Linda Bailey
on building people up to develop bonds of brotherhood as opposed to any other direction or method to achieve the same goal,” said Tom Craig, director of student productions. The changes were a result of several months of evaluations and discussions between the Board of
Trustees, the legal office and the President’s Cabinet, Craig said. “The pledging process at ACU is actually a constantly changing process in the sense that it’s constantly reviewed; it’s constantly evaluated; it’s constantly looked at to be improved,” Craig said. “With that, several
entities have looked at our existing pledging process and made some improvements on it to bring it more in line with what is consistent with anti-hazing laws and what is normal and acceptable in other universities.” see PLEDGES page 4
CRIME
ACUPD arrests campus prowler Christina Burch Page 2 Editor
TANNER FREEMAN // Staff Photographer
Lawson Soward, Caitlin Bradford and Lucas Wright of Hazel & Jack accept their award for best picture during ACU’s FilmFest Awards Show Friday.
Hazel & Jack take FilmFest Silent drama takes home host of awards and $1,000 prize Christina Burch, Page 2 Editor
Movie lovers, enthusiasts and participants filled the seats of Abilene’s historical Paramount Theatre for ACU’s FilmFest Awards Show Friday. The annual night of film celebrated the independent cinematic efforts of ACU students. This year’s competition, entitled “Identity,” was comprised of 10 film submissions in areas such as drama, documentary and even animation. The big winner of the night was Hazel and Jack, a film that won 10 awards: Best Picture, Best Drama, Best Writer, Best Director, Best Producer, Best Technical Director, Best Art Design, Best Sound Design, Best Actor and Best Actress. Director and editor of Hazel and Jack, Lawson Soward, senior electronic media major from Colleyville, said the film took more than a month to complete, and that he was happy to have the entire crew honored. “It was crazy,” Soward said. “We thought the film might win a couple of awards but not that many. It’s something we’re really proud of.”
Watch each video entered in this year’s FilmFest competition and an Optimist video of the event on our website:
acuoptimist.com FilmFest also featured live musical performances from students who wrote or performed in the submitted films. The evening was hosted by Ben Miller, junior art major from The Woodlands, and Carrie Tansey, senior special education major from North Richland Hills. The pair kicked-off the night with a comedic video that had the audience roaring. For many students, participating in FilmFest is nothing new. Soward said his film would not have been as successful as it was if he had not entered the contest last year. “Industry experts critique your work and give you advice,” Soward said. “And just the caliber of the judges and their feedback makes the admis-
sion fee totally worth it.” He said he believes the school has many students talented in film, and encourages any interested students to partake in next year’s FilmFest. “Just enter, work on a film and do all you can to make it your best,” Soward said. “Or at least go because it’s great to watch people’s movies who are in the process of learning and others who are already great at it.” Other winners of the night included The Reunion for Best Independent Film, James Leddy Boots for Best Documentary and Smile for People’s Choice Award. Trevor Cochlin, senior biblical text major from Belton, helped create the zombie film The Reunion. “Everyone likes movies, and to watch movies that your friends have made makes it an even better experience,” Cochlin said.
After a lengthy investigation and a surveillance stake-out, the ACU Police Department identified and arrested a man prowling vehicles in the parking lot of the Williams Performing Arts Center at 10:10 p.m. on March 15. After observing a pattern of similar vehicle burglaries on March 13 and March 14, the ACU Police Department and Chief of Police Jimmy Ellison set up a subsequent investigation. “Based on that pattern, we reviewed hours and hours of digital surveillance media and were able to identify a possible suspect vehicle from the video,” Ellison said. The next night, eight officers positioned themselves on various parking lots around campus. As an investigative tool, surveillance consists of officers observing the suspect nearby without interference until the suspect gives officers proof or reason to act on their suspicions. “We decided to roll the dice and see if he would come back a third night,” Ellison said. “So we set up a surveillance and actually observed
contact Burch at see THEFT page 4
clb10b@acu.edu
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FESTIVAL
Economist addresses researchers son University and author of the book The Price of Managing Editor Everything: A Parable of Economist Russ Roberts Possibility and Prosperity, urged the more than 80 discussed economist Adam students who participat- Smith’s idea that people deed in the ACU Undergrad- sire to be loved and be loveuate Research Festival to ly. He urged participants to strive for excellence in evaluate themselves to ensure they see themselves as their academic pursuits. Roberts, professor of others see them. “We need to pull away economics at George Ma-
Jeff Craig
“We lie to ourselves about our strengths and weaknesses,” Roberts said. “In research and academic life we have the same problem. That is the nature of the kitchen that is academic research. Some of it is great and changes the world. Other is not so great.” see EVENT page 4
website
inside news Dr. Liz Rosenberg, novelist, poet and children’s book author, will speak on campus courtesy of the Shinnery Review. page 4
the veil of self-dilution and see ourselves as others see us,” Roberts said. “We have flaws we don’t want others to notice.” Roberts said the field of academic research lends itself to the veiling of weaknesses. He urged students to recognize and consider their own biases when conducting research.
sports The Wildcat baseball team keeps its post season alive with a sweep of Northeastern State this weekend. page 8
JOZIE SANDS // Online Editor
Economist Russ Roberts encourages participants of ACU’s Undergraduate Research Festival on Monday to strive for excellence in academic pursuits.
weather QR code The ACU Locavore Club will conduct an event featuring Joel Salatin. The event’s purpose is to show students and ACU the benefits of locally-grown food systems.
Abilene Christian University
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