The Optimist 4.22.16

THE OPTIMIST VOL. 104 NO. 29 FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

1 SECTION, 12 PAGES

50 STUDENTS HONORED AS UNIVERSITY SCHOLARS PAGE 4

ABILENE ZOO UNVEILS NEW EXHIBIT PAGE 3 The Abilene Zoo is home to many exotic animals and offers unique opportunites for zoo-goers to interact with them.

LYDIA LAWSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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FRIDAY • • • •

SATURDAY

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Softball Doubleheader v. Sam Houston State at 12 p.m. at Poly Wells Field Baseball v. Sam Houston State at 2 p.m. at Crutcher Scott Field Kirk Goodwin Run Gamma Sigma Phi 68-Hour Volleyball all day at Gym C

Baseball v. Sam Houston State Gamma Sigma Phi 68-Hour Volleyball all day at Gym C

SUNDAY

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Max Lucado with Friends of the ACU Library

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Baseball v. Texas Tech at 6:30 p.m. at Crutcher Scott Field Orchestra/Choir Concert at 7:30 p.m. at Cullen Auditorium

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WEDNESDAY • •

Track and Field Oliver Jackson Twilight Meet at 12:30 p.m. at Elmer Grey Stadium Softball v. Baylor at 6 p.m. at Poly Wells Field Golden Anniversary Reunion (1966) Faculty Piano Recital with Joy Thurman at 8:30 p.m at Williams Performing Arts Center

Senior Candlelight Devo Golden Anniversary Reunion (1966)

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from www.acuoptimist.com ACU Art Gallery features 3-D exhibit

Freshman Formal brings a night on the town

The ACU Downtown Gallery in Abilene opened this year’s art show of all 3D artwork with the help of five artists and the ACU Maker Lab on Thursday.

The art show consists of all three-dimensional objects, most of which are interactive pieces that move. Four of the five artists involved in the show teach in the Department of Art and Design, while the fifth is a local artist.

Freshmen have the opportunity to spend “A Night on the Town” this Friday at Freshman Formal in the Hunter Welcome Center.

Freshman Action Council (FAC) chose the theme “A Night on the Town” after the 24 freshmen representatives took a vote from 30 different themes.

FAC voted on the theme around the time of Sing Song, which was themed “On the Town” this year. However, it is the goal of FAC for the thematic elements of Freshman Formal to be different from Sing Song.

“We wanted to make it fun and different,” said Abbey Weaver, junior bible major from Lufkin and FAC upperclassman representative. “We’re doing more of a night on the town where it means going out and having fun with your friends, making it feel elegant.”

Freshman Formal will continue the traditions of the past three years, holding the event in the Hunter Welcome Center and using the same DJ from prior years and other ACU events such as the Wildcat Week ‘90s dance.

Last week’s pledge drive at KACU finished around $5,000 dollars short of their goal.

The radio station, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, originally planned to raise $38,000 for the fall semester.

Nathan Gibbs, assistant professor in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications and general manager at KACU, said the lower numbers were to be expected and that there is no need for panic.

By Ashley Alfred

THE OPTIMIST

TUESDAY

THURSDAY

*Number is based on days Chapel is offered in Moody

KACU Pledge Drive finishes short

MONDAY

28

S P I R I T U A L F O R M AT I O N CREDITS

By Ashley Alfred

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Gamma Sigma Phi 68-Hour Volleyball all day at Gym C Bands Concert at 7:30 p.m. at Cullen Auditorium Baseball v. Sam Houston State at 6:30 p.m. at Crutcher Scott Field

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NEWS

04.22.16

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Abilene Zoo reopens renovated African giraffe exhibit

BY ASHLEY ALFRED The Abilene Zoo will open its new giraffe exhibit to the public on Saturday after four years of planning and construction.

The Abilene Zoo has had a giraffe exhibit since 1968 when zoo officials purchased two females. For nearly 50 years, zoo-goers fed the giraffes crackers from the “Highneck Bridge” before the renovation of the exhibit.

In order to meet the updated safety requirements for the giraffes’ care, the Abilene Zoo expanded the exhibit, costing $3.8 million.

“The community was wildly supportive,” said Kelly Langford Thompson, marketing and development coordinator at the Abilene Zoo. “Nearly 1,000 different groups and individuals contributed financially to the campaign.”

The new exhibit will be called Giraffe Safari and will be twice the size of the old exhibit. Giraffe Safari will provide plenty of open space for the giraffes to live more comfortably. The exhibit is designed to resemble the Savannah, which will allow guests to see more natural habits of the animals.

The giraffe exhibit is a multi-species exhibit where guests will still have the opportunity to feed the giraffes. The exhibit will contain six giraffes and a large covered feeding deck where the African species will come up to be fed and interact with guests. In order to feed the giraffes, guests may purchase Giraffe Encounters for $4 at the entrance of the deck.

“I am stoked to go feed some giraffes,” said Bryce Lurkens, freshman convergence journalism major from Frisco. “I have been hearing about how cool the exhibit is going to be, and I can’t wait to go check it out.”

The Abilene Zoo will have a public ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday at 10 a.m. The ceremony will celebrate the African giraffes with a dance troop of international students called Indangamirwa. There will also be educational displays about conservation set up near the exhibit to celebrate Earth Day. The exhibit will be open to the public every day from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with available times for Giraffe Encounters posted daily. jmcnetwork@acu.edu

LYDIA LAWSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

The Abilene Zoo has offered zoo-goers the opportunity to feed and interact with its African giraffes for decades, and after closing the exhibit for a $3.8 million renovation, it will reopen at a ceremony Saturday.

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NEWS

04.22.16

Students recognized for research, academic excellence

BY EMILY GUAJARDO Fifty students were recognized as University Scholars for their academic excellence within their designated departments last Thursday.

The students were honored based on knowledge and skills within their depart-

ment, overall academic excellence and previous undergraduate research. After careful selection and consideration, the students were honored at the University Scholars Chapel alongside their professors and department chairman.

Ashley Raybon, senior speech pathology major from Irving, said she is incredibly grateful to be selected for such a prestigious award.

“I was surprised, but incredibly grateful when I found out I was a University Scholar,” Raybon said. “As a first-generation college student, this is a huge accomplishment.”

A big part in being nominated is conducting and presenting graduate research at the undergraduate level.

Raybon conducted her undergraduate research in “The Effects of Fatigue on the Cognitive Linguistic Features of a Person With a Traumatic Brain Injury” under the McNair Scholars program, a program engaged in helping first-generation college students achieve a graduate degree. After presenting her research at the undergrad-

“As a firstgeneration college student, this is a huge accomplishment.”

Ashley Raybon uate festival and at other top universities, Raybon will attend Texas Tech University in the fall.

Several other students conducted various research topics from communication disorders to historical court cases and the outcomes of those cases today.

Rachel Shudde, sophomore math and political science major from Tuscola, said she conducted her research based off the Jack Pope Papers under the Pope Fellows program. Shudde said she studied the evolutionary controversy here at ACU which involved Jack Pope, a former Chief Justice

of the Texas Supreme Court.

Shudde said the honor was something special to her after only being a student for two years.

“I feel extremely honored,” she said.

“It’s such a blessing to have amazing professors to work with and who have recognized the hard work I’ve put into school these last two years. Listening to everyone’s accomplishments today, it was humbling to be recognized among so many talented people.”

As graduation comes quickly to the steps of Moody Coliseum, Raybon said the honor shows how great her professors were to push her to be her absolute best and become of honorees.

“The faculty on this campus are so good at sharing their wisdom and unique experiences with their students,” Raybon said. “Professors are a student’s best resource. Thank you to my department for teaching me how to implement my faith into my profession.” eag13a@acu.edu

Schubert retains support of board during continued divorce process would continue to stand by Schubert and his leadership of the university.

Several weeks after the original divorce filling in July 2014, the board released a statement supporting Schubert.

Schubert responded to the current situation in an email.

“This is an intensely personal family matter,” he said. “The best way you can support us is to continue to pray for us. Thank you for understanding and respecting our privacy.”

Packer expressed the board’s continued position in support of Schubert in his current role.

“The Board of Trustees has invested substantial time in prayer and discussion and we continue to stand Dr. Phil Schubert by our earlier decision to support Dr. Schubert in his role as president,” Packer wrote in his email. “We are After Schubert addressed a facul- confident in his ability to help us fulty and staff meeting on Tuesday, Dr. fill our mission in the years ahead.”

Barry Packer, chair of the Board of Trustees, sent an email to members of the ACU community saying the board bkj12a@acu.edu

BY BRITTANY JACKSON Almost two years after a divorce filing and reconciliation in early 2015, Dr. Phil Schubert told faculty and staff he and wife Jamie are finalizing plans for divorce.

“This is an intensely personal family matter. The best way you can support us is to continue to pray for us.”

NEWS

04.22.16

5

Change in overtime law to affect how staff gets paid

BY RACHEL FRITZ With the upcoming change in the Fair Labor Standards Act, ACU will evaluate staff positions and how they are paid.

The FLSA establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, record-keeping and youth employment standards affecting employees in the private sector and in federal, state and local governments, according to the U.S. Department of Labor website.

The change in the law will affect how employers pay employees for overtime. To determine whether an employee can receive overtime – working more than 40 hours in the work week – they are screened through a two-part test.

Part one looks at how much they make in a year. Now, if an employee makes $23,600 a year, their position is looked at for the second part of the test. Part two considers any exemptions, called duties, that may disqualify the employee to receive overtime

payment. In order for duties to be considered, an employee must be considered an executive, administrative or professional employee.

When the law changes, the minimum salary will be raised to $50,440, more than double what it is now, forcing businesses to reevaluate workers’ salaries and how they are paid.

Kris Sutton, assistant director of human resources, is familiar with the law, as he was an investigator for the Department of Labor for four years before coming to ACU. “The Department of Labor got lots of feedback regarding the change, and we’re trying to figure out whether it’s good or bad for higher education,” Sutton said.

The change will only affect staff at ACU. Professors will not be affected by the change.

“We’re not changing what they are paid, just how they are paid,” Sutton said. “Some may go from getting a

“We’re not changing what they are paid, just how they are paid.”

Kris Sutton monthly check to getting paid twice a month or the other way around.”

In order to adhere to the law, one of two things can happen; those who work on a salary will receive a raise to meet the $50,440 requirement, or they will switch to being paid hourly plus overtime.

Sutton said the difficult art of this will be keeping everyone’s pay fair.

“The law is changing, and we have to be in compliance with that, but we want to be good stewards; we have to

remain fair,” he said. “We don’t want a professor making more than a chair in a department.”

The change will not result in a huge financial burden, but another hurdle the human resources department must get over is communication, Sutton said.

“There’s the perception that if you’re exempt, you’re considered white collar, a “professional employee,” instead of a blue collar employee,” he said. “There are the repercussions of morale.”

There is not an official date for when the law will change, and there are still some things that are up in the air.

“We’re just trying to prepare,” Sutton said. “We’re certain there will be a change, but we don’t know how, and there are changes that can always be made, especially with it being an election year. We want to do what’s advantageous to the university as a whole.” ref11a@acu.edu

POLICE LOG SELECTED ACUPD CALLS FOR THE WEEK 04/13/2016 9:01 a.m.

ACUPD investigated the theft of an ARAMARK employee’s wallet from the catering office.

04/13/2016 11:06 a.m.

A student’s phone was stolen from outside a third floor classroom in COBA. 04/14/2016 2:10 p.m.

An unknown suspect threw a large stone through one of the sliding glass doors at Sherrod Park Storage.

04/17/2016 11:27 a.m.

ACUPD investigated a reported hit-and-run crash in the University Church of Christ parking lot.

04/17/2016 04:15 p.m.

An area resident reported receiving suspicious items at their residence in the 600th block of East North 18th Street.

04/18/2016 01:46 p.m.

ACUPD investigated a possible burglary at a storage room at ACU Sherrod Park in the 1300th block of Cedar Crest Drive.

Weekly Stats For Week of April 13-20, 2016 - Total Events: 425 ACCIDENT 2 ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITY 24 ALARM 5 ALCOHOL INCIDENT 1 ANIMAL CALL 1 BARRICADES 3 BUILDING LOCK/UNLOCK 10 CHECK BUILDING 234 CITATION ISSUANCE 1 CRMINAL MISCHIEF 1 DRUG ACTIVITY/OFFENSE 1 ELEVATOR RESCUE 1

ESCORT 2 FOOT PATROL 15 FOUND PROPERTY 5 HARASSMENT 1 HIT & RUN 1 INFORMATION REPORT 1 INVESTIGATION FOLLOW UP 17 LOST PROPERTY 1 MAINTENANCE UNIV ASSESTS: CCTV 3 MOTORIST ASSIST: INFLATE TIRE 1 MOTORIST ASSIST: JUMPSTART 3

MOTORIST ASSIST: UNLOCK 10 NOISE VIOLATION 3 OTHER 3 PARKING LOT PATROL 30 PARKING VIOLATION 1 PATROL VEHICLE MAINTENANCE 5 PATROL VEHICLE: REFUEL 8 RANDOM PATROL 7 REPORT WRITING 9 RUNAWAY 1 SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT 1 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 1

SUSPICIOUS PERSON 1 THEFT 2 TRAFFIC STOP 3 TRAINING 1 WELFARE CHECK 4 POLICE CHIEF TIP OF THE WEEK: Did you know that sexual assault victims can file a police report yet remain completely anonymous throughout the process?

F E AT U R E S

04.22.16

7

Turning Tables Rudy Garza boosts Abilene’s nightlife with his eclectic mixes and mile-high bass drops

BY MERCEDEZ HERNANDEZ

R

LAUREN FRANCO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

udy Garza, senior marketing major from Corpus Christi, is turning the tables on Abilene nightlife.

Garza has been the Friday night DJ of Stairs, a downtown nightclub that opened last November, and will be playing his last set this Friday from 9-12 p.m.

Garza bought his first turntable in January and began performing at friends’ houses.

After getting a few house parties and sound mixes under his belt, Garza was able to snag his first gig in front of an audience at Stairs in February.

“The first time I talked to Rudy it seemed like he was really in-touch with what people were coming here for.

You look around the place on a Friday night and it’s full, in part, due to Rudy,” said Tim O’Connor a part owner and general manager of Stairs.

Although he only just started DJing, Garza’s love of music and interest in performing began a few years ago.

“I’ve listened to music with deep intention for a long time,” Garza said. “I’ve been a musician since sixth grade and started playing personally curated playlists off of my phone for my friends when I

was a sophomore here.”

One of the reasons Garza said he wanted to start performing was to influence Abilene’s reputation for lacking in entertainment.

“I feel like a lot of people complain about Abilene,” Garza said. “They say, I wish we went to a big school so we could have better parties or I wish we lived in Austin or Dallas so we’d have better places to go out. My thing is that all you really need is a room, some speakers and good music.”

For Garza, DJing is more than pressing a few keys on a laptop or scratching a couple discs. It is also about the feeling he can create with music and how it affects the setting he is performing in.

“DJing is really cool because you get to read a crowd.

You’re facilitating the vibe and are essentially covering the room in the mood that you want it to be in.”

Garza also said the connection he forms with the crowd is what makes DJing exciting.

The first night he performed, Garza said he was nervous, but after getting people on the dance floor, he saw the bond he shared with the dancers.

“Every night you’re trying so hard to get people on the dance floor and the first good

LAUREN FRANCO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

memory is when everything clicks and they start dancing.

The next great memory is whenever you look down at the crowd and it doesn’t matter what you’re playing because you’ve earned the dance floor’s trust,” Garza said.

Although DJing seems like an easy side job, Garza said it is harder than it looks. He said the environment can be stressful because his ability to perform directly influences the dancers’ night and the club’s bottom line.

“I’m having the time of my life, but I’m working,” Garza said. “If you play a great song, then everyone is pumped, but if you play a terrible song then people are disappointed. It be-

comes a personal affirmation thing– when it’s going good you feel great about yourself, but you feel terrible about yourself when it’s not.”

Garza gets inspiration for his mixes from a variety of sources. His favorite artists include Led Zeppelin, Kendrick Lamar and DJ Sober.

Garza also said his mixes are inspired by his infatuation with disco and 70s and 80s dance music.

“For me, I like breaking everything down to the core elements of dance. I get inspired by house music, acidy European dance stuff or American 70s disco with awesome high-pitched male vocals. If it’s got the right bass line and

gets people dancing then it’s something that I really can take from,” Garza said.

DJing has also given Garza an appreciation of how valuable time is in the music industry.

“I’ve got a bank of 400 songs and will play 25 percent of that,” Garza said. “It becomes really crazy how valuable three minutes of time is during a set because you could play so many other songs than the one you’re choosing.”

As Garza’s last set at Stairs approaches, he looks toward his future as a DJ. After graduation, Garza is moving to Austin and will most likely pursue DJing as a side job as long as it fits into his lifestyle, career, relationships and finances. His time DJing in the Key City may be coming to an end, but Garza’s time spent here will have a lasting effect on him.

“I will absolutely miss DJing in Abilene,” Garza said.

“This will probably be the only time in my life that I get to play for a crowd of people that I know personally - which makes creating a good time that much more worthwhile for me.”

To hear Garza’s mixes visit soundcloud.com/rudypebbles mmh13a@acu.edu

F E AT U R E S

04.22.16

7

Turning Tables Rudy Garza boosts Abilene’s nightlife with his eclectic mixes and mile-high bass drops

BY MERCEDEZ HERNANDEZ

R

LAUREN FRANCO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

udy Garza, senior marketing major from Corpus Christi, is turning the tables on Abilene nightlife.

Garza has been the Friday night DJ of Stairs, a downtown nightclub that opened last November, and will be playing his last set this Friday from 9-12 p.m.

Garza bought his first turntable in January and began performing at friends’ houses.

After getting a few house parties and sound mixes under his belt, Garza was able to snag his first gig in front of an audience at Stairs in February.

“The first time I talked to Rudy it seemed like he was really in-touch with what people were coming here for.

You look around the place on a Friday night and it’s full, in part, due to Rudy,” said Tim O’Connor a part owner and general manager of Stairs.

Although he only just started DJing, Garza’s love of music and interest in performing began a few years ago.

“I’ve listened to music with deep intention for a long time,” Garza said. “I’ve been a musician since sixth grade and started playing personally curated playlists off of my phone for my friends when I

was a sophomore here.”

One of the reasons Garza said he wanted to start performing was to influence Abilene’s reputation for lacking in entertainment.

“I feel like a lot of people complain about Abilene,” Garza said. “They say, I wish we went to a big school so we could have better parties or I wish we lived in Austin or Dallas so we’d have better places to go out. My thing is that all you really need is a room, some speakers and good music.”

For Garza, DJing is more than pressing a few keys on a laptop or scratching a couple discs. It is also about the feeling he can create with music and how it affects the setting he is performing in.

“DJing is really cool because you get to read a crowd.

You’re facilitating the vibe and are essentially covering the room in the mood that you want it to be in.”

Garza also said the connection he forms with the crowd is what makes DJing exciting.

The first night he performed, Garza said he was nervous, but after getting people on the dance floor, he saw the bond he shared with the dancers.

“Every night you’re trying so hard to get people on the dance floor and the first good

LAUREN FRANCO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

memory is when everything clicks and they start dancing.

The next great memory is whenever you look down at the crowd and it doesn’t matter what you’re playing because you’ve earned the dance floor’s trust,” Garza said.

Although DJing seems like an easy side job, Garza said it is harder than it looks. He said the environment can be stressful because his ability to perform directly influences the dancers’ night and the club’s bottom line.

“I’m having the time of my life, but I’m working,” Garza said. “If you play a great song, then everyone is pumped, but if you play a terrible song then people are disappointed. It be-

comes a personal affirmation thing– when it’s going good you feel great about yourself, but you feel terrible about yourself when it’s not.”

Garza gets inspiration for his mixes from a variety of sources. His favorite artists include Led Zeppelin, Kendrick Lamar and DJ Sober.

Garza also said his mixes are inspired by his infatuation with disco and 70s and 80s dance music.

“For me, I like breaking everything down to the core elements of dance. I get inspired by house music, acidy European dance stuff or American 70s disco with awesome high-pitched male vocals. If it’s got the right bass line and

gets people dancing then it’s something that I really can take from,” Garza said.

DJing has also given Garza an appreciation of how valuable time is in the music industry.

“I’ve got a bank of 400 songs and will play 25 percent of that,” Garza said. “It becomes really crazy how valuable three minutes of time is during a set because you could play so many other songs than the one you’re choosing.”

As Garza’s last set at Stairs approaches, he looks toward his future as a DJ. After graduation, Garza is moving to Austin and will most likely pursue DJing as a side job as long as it fits into his lifestyle, career, relationships and finances. His time DJing in the Key City may be coming to an end, but Garza’s time spent here will have a lasting effect on him.

“I will absolutely miss DJing in Abilene,” Garza said.

“This will probably be the only time in my life that I get to play for a crowd of people that I know personally - which makes creating a good time that much more worthwhile for me.”

To hear Garza’s mixes visit soundcloud.com/rudypebbles mmh13a@acu.edu

04.22.16

OPINION

Change to advising system targets retention rates The university is making plans to centralize its advising system that will take advisers out of various departments and colleges and put them in a single location.

Advisers will be housed under enrollment and marketing beginning in August.

University officials say it will allow advisers to take advantage of new software called Degree Works to track students’ progress and help them satisfy all of their degree requirements.

One of the prime justifications for the change has been the university’s low retention rates.

Over the past several years, only between 75 and 80 percent of freshman students returned for their sophomore year.

While that number rose slightly last year, it is still well below the university’s goal and other universities ACU compares itself to. That retention rate is a key indicator of student satisfaction, and the university is right to put such a heavy emphasis on it.

In an earlier Optimist story on the move to central advising, Dr. Susan Lewis said the Senior Leadership Team is introducing the system in an effort to improve retention.

“Many of our students are being served well right now, but the experience they have is inconsistent across campus,” Lewis said. “We have done a lot of things to improve retention, but this is the next thing that we are trying. We’re bringing in good students, but they just aren’t retaining at the rate they should be.”

From year to year, between 20 and 25 percent of the entering freshman class fail to return as sophomores. Over the last four years, the retention rate averaged at 77 percent. However, 79.3 percent of last year’s freshman class returned this fall.

And here’s why that matters: the retention rate translates into real dollars to the university’s bottom line. Every percentage point increase in student retention

means more people are paying tuition each year.

For example, tuition is $41,520 per year, including room and board and meal plan fees. But of course, no one pays full price. That reduction is called the discount rate, and ACU’s discount rate has been on the rise.

According to a study published by the National Association of College and University Business Officers, freshman students at private, four-year universities receive an average discount rate of 48 percent.

Based on these assumptions, the average ACU freshman pays $21,590 in tuition. The more of these students the university retains, the more dollars ACU brings in.

An increase in three percentage points of freshman retention would net the university roughly $625,000.

And yes, all these numbers and talk of retention bring us back to central advising.

The Senior Leadership Team

is implementing the central advising system beginning in the fall, hoping to raise the retention rate. Even these rough numbers show that better retention will indeed be better for the university

overall. However, it still doesn’t take away the concerns of such hasty implementation, and the question still remains as to how advising removed from specific departments will keep wavering students around.

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 79609 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu

9

OPINION

04.22.16

Abstinence-only education is not realistic Lamborghini Mercy

Mercedez Hernandez

Sex education programs are vital tools in ensuring teens engage in safe behavior, but Texas’s approach to sex education is too idealistic.

Sex can be an uncomfortable topic, especially when discussing the sexual behaviors of high-school aged teens. But Texas school districts and lawmakers need to realize that despite pushing abstinence in schools, teens are still having sex, and their limited educations are not preparing them with the knowledge they need to combat pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

In 2014, the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unwanted Pregnancy reported that Texas had the fifth highest rate of teenage pregnancy in the nation and the highest rate of repeat births from ages 15-19.

It also reported that nearly half of teenagers in Texas are sexually

active by grade 12. Although Texas’s pregnancy rate has been on a steady decline over the years, the way the state approaches sex education seems half-hearted.

In research compiled by the Guttmacher Institute, the different criteria that exists for each state’s sex and HIV education programs were listed together. These are the requirements and non-requirements of Texas’s sex and HIV education programs.

Sex and HIV education must: • Be age appropriate • Have parental notice • Have an opt-out option • Stress abstinence • Stress the importance of sex only within marriage • Stress the negative outcomes of teen sex • Include life skills for avoiding coercion and healthy decision making • HIV education must include information on condoms and abstinence • Sex and HIV education is not required to: •

• •

Be medically accurate Be culturally appropriate and unbiased • Abstain from promoting religion • Have parental consent • Include education on contraception • Include education about different sexual orientations • Include life skills for family communication In Texas, sex and HIV education are not mandatory for public school systems.

According to the list above, the only contraception method required to be taught to students, when education is offered, is abstinence.

By not providing comprehensive sex education to its students, Texas is ignoring the reality that nearly half of teens are sexually active by their senior year. As much as we’d like to believe it’s untrue, teens are having sex. However, without proper education about birth control, those same teens are being left to figure things out themselves-which could result in unwanted pregnancies or STDs.

Suicide prevention month is every month Klassy Kim Kassie Kim ACU has around 4,461 students enrolled, both undergraduate and graduate students. Living on a campus like ACU, many of us may not think there could be someone who would consider suicide walking the campus grounds. But, odds are there is. Who’s to say that not one person has had suicidal thoughts or tendencies?

Every day in America, almost 105 people die by their own hand. In Texas, for every 100,000 people, 12 die by self-inflicted harm. For ages 18-24, suicide is the second leading cause of death. Among college students in the U.S., the rate of suicide is anywhere from 6.5 to 7.5 deaths per 100,000 students.

Suicide has a stigma around it that if someone considers taking their own life, that they are weak or

are trying to take the easy way out, making those who contemplate suicide scared to reach out for help.

How can our generation be so willing to take their own lives?

Different factors can contribute to someone just being open and willing to contemplate taking their own life. These elements can contribute to someone thinking about ending their life.

With it not being a talked about issue on campus, how would a person who has suicidal thoughts seek help and not be ashamed feel like a burden to their friends?

So what can we as students do to raise awareness, and allow the ones on campus who are afraid to reach out for help?

First, we all need to learn about suicide and the signs and contributing factors to someone developing the signs of a suicidal person. These signs include isolation, loss of interest, giving away personal belongings, extreme self-hate and a feeling of being a burden to others. We have

to be able to notice the change in our friends in order to be there for them.

Secondl, we need to know where students can go on campus for help.

The Medical and Counseling Care Center, located behind Moody, is a place students can go to seek help.

Third, we must be ready and willing to reach out to someone who we think could become or is suicidal.

Don’t be afraid to approach them and ask them if they are thinking about taking their life. Showing a suicidal person you care is enough to let them know there’s someone that can help them and can ask for help.

Most suicides that occur could have been prevented, so we have to defeat the stigma that surrounds suicidal people and be willing to reach out to those in need.

We have to accept the fact that suicide can happen on our campus.

We have to be knowledgeable and ready to take action before it’s too late. Who knows, just one simple act of showing you care could prevent someone from taking their life.

hashtagACU Follow @acuoptimist on Twitter April 17 9:12 p.m.

Motivation 0%

April 21 1:16 p.m.

“you look sick” well I am but you didn’t have to point it out #rude

@ErickaTisdale

@hanna__no__h

April 21 10:09 a.m.

April 21 1:56 p.m.

Sometimes you spend the rest of your printing money on coloring pages because #priorities

Things in my backpack: goggles, 2 oranges, a swim cap, a 2015 planner. End of list.

@hannahhecker

@EmdahGem

April 21 10:50 a.m.

April 21 2:20 p.m.

There was a guy in my class that argued with me about flooding in Houston even thougH I WAS THERE DURING IT

@sarahbateman421 April 21 11:32 a.m.

Has anyone else noticed that we all eat lunch so early at ACU like if you walk in the campus center after 12:15 it’s dead in there

@kaylalikescats April 21 1:00 p.m.

Joe: So you could get the ebook or the book book?

Me: ah yes, the technical term for textbook- book book. I work in the book book department

@dani_b315

Bean bucks AKA bagel budget

@MeganFridge April 21 3:26 p.m.

Brb just gotta get my life together before graduation.

@madisonflowers April 21 4:52 p.m.

is there a new rule where 4-way stop signs funciton like stoplights that I am @k_winz not arare of???? no?? then WAIT YOUR TURN

@emjmuhl

10

SPORTS

04.22.16

Goodenough adds to season accolades

BY JONATHAN RAITZ The ACU women’s basketball team ended its season over a month ago, but continued to receive accolades as a result of its success when head coach Julie Goodenough was recognized with the Chuck Moser Coach of the year award on Monday.

The Moser Award is named after legendary Abilene High football coach, who lead the Eagles to three straight state championships from 1954-56, and has been awarded to the city’s top male and female coaches since 1999 by the Rotary Club of Abilene.

“I love Abilene and the Big Country and consider it a huge honor to be recognized by the Rotary Club,” Goodenough said.

“The list of previous winners is very impressive.”

Goodenough was recognized with the award after she coached the Wildcats to a 26-4 record, which earned them a Southland Conference Championship and their first-ever trip to the Women’s National Invitational Tournament.

In 21 seasons as a head coach, Goodenough is 371-255, with 188 of those wins

STANDINGS BASEBALL STANDINGS

Team SELU SHSU Lamar MSU HBU NSU NO UCA Nicholls St. SFA ACU TAMU-CC UIW

Div. 13-2 14-4 11-4 12-6 9-6 9-9 6-9 6-9 7-11 6-12 5-10 4-11 3-12

Ovrl 26-11 21-16 26-10 22-12 18-16 18-17 21-15 14-20 16-22 17-20 13-21 12-23 10-27

SOFTBALL STANDINGS

LAUREN FRANCO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Julie Goodenough has earned two conference titles in her four years at ACU. The team also achieved a winning record in every year under Goodenough.

coming in nine seasons spent with Hardin-Simmons, the most by any women’s coach in their history. Goodenough is 82-35 since taking over at the helm of the purple and white, and has won two con-

ference championships in just four seasons.

Earlier this season, Goodenough received the national honor of Southland Conference coach of the year, and junior guard Alexis Mason was named Southland Conference player of the year.

“This award for Coach Goodenough shows her leadership throughout the Abilene community,” Mason said. “She makes herself known in the community and has such a great demeanor that attracts our fan support.”

Two other Wildcats earned postseason honors juniors Sydney Shelstead and Suzzy Dimba, and both players along with Mason were named to the Southland’s All-Academic team.

“Our team has been blessed with many individual accolades this season which is really a byproduct of the work and commitment invested by our team,” Goodenough said.

Julie Goodenough was enthused about putting forth a team effort as the women embraced the phrase “Team First Wins”.

As a result, the Wildcats’ posted one of the most historic seasons in ACU basketball history.

This historic season included a 14game winning streak, which was the third longest in the program’s history and a .897 winning percentage, second only to the 1995-96 squad, which posted 32 wins.

Read more at acuoptimist.com jmr13b@acu.edu

Team MSU Lamar Nicholls St. UCA ACU SFA NSU SHSU HBU SELU UIW TAMU-CC

Div. 15-3 14-4 13-4 12-6 12-6 8-9 7-11 7-11 6-12 5-13 5-13 3-15

Ovrl 30-10 27-15 30-14 31-14 19-18 19-22 24-18 15-25 14-22 22-24 14-27 13-28

BRIEFINGS More stories at acuoptimist.com Wildcat tennis travels to California to finish season

by Max Preston ACU Golf finishes the season 6th at conference championship

by Mary Kate Rotenberry Follow Online Twitter: @OptimistSports Facebook: facebook.com/ optimistsports Instagram: optimistsports

WHO’S HOT Sophomore pitcher Hannah Null has allowed just two earned runs in her last two starts. Null pitched complete games against SFA and Texas Tech.

NULL She carries an 11-9 record, 3.02 ERA and 97 strikeouts on the season.

04.22.16

SPORTS

11

Crippen’s adjustments adds offensive spark

BY JONATHAN RAITZ At 6’-2” and 225 pounds, junior Russell Crippen is built to hit the baseball a long way. However, despite pacing the team with the most homeruns each of the last two seasons, Crippen has transitioned into becoming not just one of the Wildcats’ most powerful hitters, but also the most efficient. Crippen leads the Wildcats in hits with 35, is tops on the team among players with a minimum of 10 at-bats, with his .318 batting average and second in RBIs with 13.

Crippen said this transition was “a little bit of both” consciously trying to adjust his game and getting a few fortunate bounces his way.

“I wanted to raise my average at the plate from last year and I made sure to put in the work to make that happen, but some of my hits have somehow just found holes so in that regard it has just happened a little as well,” Crippen said.

Similar to many young baseball players, Crippen’s father introduced him to the game at a very young age, but it was his immediate gravitation to the sport that has kept him loyal to it for so long.

“Like in most situations my father was the one that introduced me to the game and has always supported me in every way possible,” Crippen said. “When I was two, I got a baseball and a bat and there was no going back from there. I played as much as possible and even played on a team when I was three.”

When he graduated from Snohomish High School in Snohomish, Washington, Crippen was recruited by ACU as a potential two-way player, boasting a fastball in the mid 80s that occasionally eclipsed 90 miles per hour.

“When you get a guy like him, it’s definitely a bonus for your program because you feel like for three or four years he’s gonna have a chance to really contribute to your program,” said head coach Britt Bonneau.

But since arriving, Crippen has pitched in just three games, as many quickly realized his bat was a valuable contribution to the lineup. Which led to him starting 54 games in the field his sophomore year, most of them coming at second base where he committed just six errors all season.

“The coaches have helped me a lot over the last three years of me being here, and it’s finally all falling into place,” Crippen said.

LAUREN FRANCO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Russell Crippen leads ACU baseball in multiple offensive categories in 2016. He holds a .318 average along with 35 hits, two home runs, nine doubles and 13 RBIs.

As a team the Wildcats finished the 2015 campaign with an impressive 2-1 win over Arizona and a 7-4 victory over Hawaii, and in both games Crippen played a critical part. Against Arizona, Crippen singled and came around to score to give ACU an early lead they never gave back, while his two-run homerun in the eighth inning against Hawaii clinched the 7-4 win for the Wildcats.

It was moments like these toward the end of last season that Bonneau said Crippen gained momentum heading into the 2016 campaign.

“Crippen is one of those guys that can really change a game around and we’re very fortunate to have him on our team,” Bonneau said. He really ended the year last year on a high note and I think a lot of that carried over to this year.”

At 13-21 this season, the Wildcats have struggled to find consistent success as a team, despite contending with some of the nation’s top teams in Oklahoma and TCU and even beating Dallas Baptist 3-2.

But close calls are nothing new to Crippen

and the Wildcats after trading blows with the top two teams in the nation a year ago.

“The games against No.1 Texas A&M and No.2 TCU last year were great games that we lost by one in each game,” Crippen said. “Coming away from those of course we wish we would have won the game, but we gave the two best teams in the nation a run for their money and competed at the highest level in college baseball,” This momentum and these tough losses have helped Crippen transition into his role off the field as well, as this team has become his family.

“Everyone on the team is great and we really gel as a group of men,” Crippen said.

“It’s been great getting so many brothers that will go to bat for me at any point in life. I love every one of them and I learn so much from them every day.”

In regards to learning, Bonneau says there is still plenty for Crippen to learn, but the strides he is making are definitely in the right direction.

“He’s still a young guy that’s still learning the game,” Bonneau said. “Every day

he has gotta come out and continue to get better. I think he learned a lot last year just from year one to year two. When he stays within himself and does that he’s a very good player. That’s where he has evolved.”

Crippen says since he started playing for the Wildcats one of his biggest accomplishments and a helpful thing he has learned is some things are out of his control.

“Overall I have a better attitude for what happens. You can only control so many things in baseball so learning what you can and can’t control has been huge for me,” Crippen said.

As one might expect, Crippen hopes to play at the professional level if given the opportunity, but for now he hopes to grow as a player and a person as much as he can throughout the rest of his time as a Wildcat.

“I would love to play in the MLB one day and hope that I am lucky enough to get the chance to, but I just want to stay within God’s plan for me,” Crippen said.

jmr13b@acu.edu

SPORTS

THE OPTIMIST FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016 PAGE 12

GOODENOUGH ACCUMULATES MORE OFFSEASON HARDWARE PAGE 10

RUSSELL CRIPPEN LEADS ACU BATS THIS SEASON ACU baseball recovered from its losing streak with a series win over Texas A&M Corpus Christi last weekend. The ‘Cats blanked the Islanders in the last two games.

LAUREN FRANCO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

PAGE 11