The •
Vol. 95, No. 30
IN THIS ISSUE CAMPUS Winter wonderland
Abilene’s first ice skating rink has closed down for the season after being open for nearly two months and raising money for Habitat for Humanity, page 4
Switching it up
Changes have been made to the way Chapel operates in personnel and structure, page 4
Serving others
The first Service-Expo will begin this week in the Campus Center, in an effort to get students involved in serving others in Abilene, page 7
SPORTS
The ACU men’s basketball team claimed its first conference game after beating Angelo State on Tuesday night 92-76, page 10
Making the cut
Seven women and two men provisionally qualified for the National Indoor Championship at the West Kittley Invitiational in Lubbock on Saturday, page 10
ONLINE Shooting hoops
Midway through the men’s and women’s basketball seasons, find out well the teams have done and how they prepare for games online at: www.acuoptimist.com
SPEED READS
1 section, 10 pages
WEDNESDAY
n Staff and administration extended the dates for adding or dropping a class to allow students the flexibility to change schedules without penalty. By MORGAN WILLIAMS Student Reporter
Winter weather conditions were a factor in determining dates to add or drop classes for the spring semester. The original dates to add or drop a class
n The Students’ Association updated its Web site this week to better accommodate groups wanting to submit budget requests for the spring semester.
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www.acuoptimist.com
with a 100 percent refund were extended to Tuesday. Weather conditions didn’t allow some students to return to school by the original first day of the Spring 2007 semester on Jan. 16, leading to a delay in the start of classes. Bart Herridge, associate registrar, said, “the staff and administration felt it was important to extend this time and allow students the opportunity to make
new add/drop dates
changes to their schedules without penalty.” A group of staff members met to make sure this process could be done and what it would impact. “We were satisfied that this would be a positive change,” Herridge said. Herridge said the most significant change from the original dates is a shorter period for 80 percent refunds. See
Because of the winter delays, the dates to add or drop classes were extended to benefit students: n 100 percent refund through Tuesday
n 80 percent refund Wednesday through Jan. 30 n 60 percent refund Jan. 31Feb. 2
More information can be found on the registrar’s Web site off ACU’s homepage.
POLICY page 9
Behind the eight ball
By KELSI PEACE Features Editor
Filling out a budget request form just got easier, thanks to the new Students’ Association Web site, which allows student organizations to submit budget requests online. The online version is the third generation of budget software created by SA that allows users to fill out their requests by answering a series of questions. “We feel like we’ve finally gotten it down to what needs to happen,” said Tyler Cosgrove,
BUDGET page 9
College still in search of dean n A committee of eight professors from various departments continue the selection for position for dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, which begins Fall 2007. By KELSI PEACE Features Editor
The only thing harder than filling some “big shoes” is deciding who should fill them. With the announced retirement of Dr. Colleen Durrington, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Search and Review Committee formed to determine who will succeed Durrington as the next dean. Dr. Carley Dodd, committee chair and professor of communication, said the committee will meet with the See
DEAN page 9
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Zeb Abbott, freshman exercise sports science major from Harper, plays pool in the McKinzie Hall lobby during some downtime on Tuesday afternoon.
Third Rock closes Abilene locale n The local ice cream parlor closed its doors indefinitely in November. No plans have been made yet to relocate elsewhere in Abilene or Texas.
“Everyone just stopped coming in.... I was doing the bank deposits and they just kept getting smaller and smaller.” Doug Clement, former day manager
By DANIEL JOHNSON Sports Editor
ACU students who want customized homemade ice cream will have to travel across town to Cold Stone Creamery as the fate of competitor Third Rock Creamery remains unknown. The space-themed ice cream parlor and coffee shop on Judge Ely Boulevard closed its doors in
On the upswing
Collegegrad.com announced Monday that 2007 graduates will be entering the work field at one of the most opportune times—entry level positions will be up 7.3 percent this year for college graduates. Of the businesses surveyed about hiring habits, 60 percent said they expected to hire more college graduates than normal, 20 percent said they would hire the same amount and 20 percent said they would hire less. -UWIRE
January 24, 2006
Groups University extends add/drop policy submit budget requests online
See
Slam dunk
OPTIMIST
November after a decline in business. “Everyone just stopped coming in,” said former day manager, Doug Clement. Third Rock opened in November 2005 and despite an initial jump of constant business, Clement said the profits and number of regular customers kept reducing as the year went on.
“I sat there and watched it go down,” Clement said. “I was doing the bank deposits and they just kept getting smaller and smaller.” For now, Third Rock’s doors, which opened to long lines of college students, are closed with a sign that reads: “Third Rock Creamery will be closed for re-location.”
Clement said owner Rob Lord has not contacted him on the specifics of Third Rock’s relocation. Lord, a resident of Houston and graduate of Hardin Simmons University, was unavailable for comment. Clement said he was surprised Lord decided to close the parlor suddenly and expected the business to be around for a while. “I was expecting the place to be booming like it was,” Clement said. “I didn’t realize [Lord] would call me out of the blue and tell me to See
SHOP page 9
Crews begin Sikes face-lift n Construction began during the Christmas break preparing Sikes Residence Hall for its summer renovations, which include adding more space to the rooms. By MICHELLE JIMENEZ Copy Editor
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Construction crews dug trenches along the sides of Sikes Residence Hall in preparation for the summer renovation plans to expand.
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
Preparation for renovation has begun at the sophomore female residence hall, Sikes Hall. Trenches circling the perimeter of the building mark the beginning stages of the remodeling process that will resume in the summer.
The trenches, meant to expand the foundation, are only one step in a major renovation that has been months in the planning. A list of improvements to be added to Sikes include an increase of community spaces on the second and third floors; a study room for men and women on the first floor; an expansion of the kitchen, desk manager office and the resident assistance office; addition of washing and drying machines in the laundry room; and an extension of
Abilene Christian University
the students’ rooms. Sikes’ exterior also will be made to resemble the newest residence hall on campus, Barret Hall. Windows will be remodeled and shutters added, replacing the nonfunctional balconies of the building. Rebecca Cates, resident director of Sikes, said she is excited about the improvements that will take place during the summer. “I think the way Sikes is constructed [now] it’s See
SIKES page 9
Serving the ACU community since 1912
Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date:
Wednesday, March 29, 2006 Wednesday, January 24, 2007
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Calendar & Events Wednesday
10 a.m. Service Expo until 12:30 p.m. in the Campus Center. 9 p.m. Seekers of the Word auditions in the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building, Room 130.
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Thursday
10 a.m. Service Expo until 12:30 p.m. in the Campus Center. 7:30 p.m. Seekers of the Word perform in the Bean Sprout to benefit its Spring Break Campaign. 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Intramural Waterball Playoffs in the ACU Swimming Pool.
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Friday
Purple Friday
6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Free Movie Night in Cullen Auditorium showing “Invincible.” 7 p.m. “Exhibit A” Senior Art Show on display until 9 p.m. at the Shore Art Gallery.
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Saturday
2 p.m. Women’s Basketball team plays Texas A&M Kingsville in Moody Coliseum. 4 p.m. Men’s Basketball team plays Texas A&M Kingsville in Moody Coliseum.
7 p.m. Homer Hiccolm and the Rocketboys play at Monks Coffeeshop.
Announcements The deadline to sign up for Five-on-Five Basketball is tomorrow. The cost per team is $125. Games will begin Monday. ATTENTION ALL MAJORS! Interested in studying while traveling for a month this summer? You could visit London, Australia, Ireland and
more! There are a variety of classes offered that directly transfer to ACU. Scholarships are available. The deadline to sign up is Sunday. Contact Ed Timmerman for more information at timmermanj@acu.edu. Are you looking for a Summer Job? Check out ACU`s Summer
Camp Job Fair on Monday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the Campus Center mall area. Representatives from 20 camps will be on campus to interview and hire staff for this summer. For more information, contact Joel Swedlund at swedlundj@acu.edu. Want to make a difference on campus? Come to “ResLife: Caffeinated” in the Hilton Room on Tuesday at 5:15 p.m. to get free coffee and desserts, play some games, win some prizes and learn more about ministry opportunities. Applications are available in McKinzie West and on the Employment Opportunities section of the ResLife Web site. The first Service Saturday of the year will be Feb. 3. Students may sign up Tuesday through Feb. 2 in the Campus Center ticket windows. What do Tupac Shakur, Lauryn Hill and Kanye West have to do with Jesus? Come find out Thursday evenings. “Jesus and the Hip-Hop Prophets” will take place at 8:30 p.m. in the Onstead-Packer
Biblical Studies Building, Room 128. For more information, contact Matt Worthington at mrw03b@acu.edu. Looking for an adventure this summer? Come intern with Dry Bones in Denver. Dry Bones is a ministry that works with homeless youth living on the streets of downtown Denver. The ministry needs four city interns and one mountain intern who will facilitate youth groups backpacking in the mountains and working in the city. Visit the Web site or contact Rebekah Duke at rebekah@drybonesdenver.org for more information. WorldWide Witness is now accepting applications for more than 40 summer internships around the world. Apply online at www.worldwidewitness.org. For additional information, contact Gary Green or Wimon Walker at witness@bible.acu.edu. Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) meets Wednesdays at 5 p.m. in COBA, Room 315, for those interested in sharpening business skills, entrepreneurial, leadership skills and service to the community.
Credited Chapels remaining:
06 66
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 at mxe06a@acu.edu.
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.
Volunteer Opportunities The West Texas Homeless Network needs 50 volunteers today and tomorrow to help with the Point in Time Homeless Survey. Volunteers will be trained to work in teams and will be assigned to a specific place. For more information, call (325) 673-8211 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. or e-mail kathy@unitedwayabilene.org. Noah Project, a center for victims of family violence, has a number of volunteer opportunities available. These include coverage of the crisis hotline and helping with day-to-day operations. Volunteer training classes will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 1, Feb. 6 and Feb. 8 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. You need only attend one. For more information, contact the Volunteer Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout. The Betty Hardwick Center needs help in their office answering phones, filing, copying, running errands, etc. For more information, contact the Volunteer-Service Learning Center in the Bean Sprout. Abilene Hope Haven needs volunteers in a variety of ways. Jobs vary from daytime hours to evening hours and include helping with children, answering phones and doing office work. For more information, contact the Volunteer Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout. Adaptive Recreation Services
needs people to assist with physically and mentally challenged participants Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information, contact the Volunteer Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout. Hendrick Retirement Village needs volunteers to plan a Valentine’s Day party for residents, decorate and clean up. The party will be Feb. 13 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, contact Jennifer Green at (325) 690-1400. The Beltway Park Baptist Church Preschool Department needs two volunteers on Feb. 3 from 10 a.m. to noon to paint a wooden countertop and door. Paint and all supplies will be provided. For more information, contact Sandi Muniz at (325) 692-6540, ext. 127. Big Brothers Big Sisters needs young women willing to volunteer their time Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in a program called Y-teens. Yteens will allow young women from Abilene High School the opportunity to mentor girls from Franklin Middle School. Through activities and service projects, this program will empower young girls with knowledge about life skills and build self-confidence while creating an atmosphere for learning and emotional growth. For more information, contact Erin McMullen or MC Jennings at (325) 677-7839.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
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CAMPUS NEWS
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Abilene Ice House closes after first year n Despite first-year weather difficulties, the Abilene Ice House plans to be back next year, prepared and ready to make several additions.
“It was hard to get out of one uniform and jump into another.” Gordon Storey, Dyess We Care Team
By TODD PIERSALL Arts Editor
Along with students and faculty, the Abilene Ice House laments the recent cold fronts that produced icy roads and below freezing temperatures— but only because they wished the chilly weather would have come sooner. Efforts to tear down this year’s ice skating rink began Sunday. Karen Mendoza, events coordinator for Habitat for Humanity, said the first year went well for the ice skating rink, but because of bad weather, the rink was forced to close 14 of its 57-day season. However, Mendoza said these trials will
only help in making the rink better for next year. “We aren’t sure yet how we did until we total everything up,” Mendoza said. “But we learned a lot for doing it next year.” Mendoza said next year the rink will probably have a later start on the calendar and a few additions might be made, including a possible cover for the rink depending on funding from sponsors. Overall, Mendoza said she was glad to do something for the community, as were many of the volunteers, including the Dyess We Care Team.
Gordon Storey, founder of the Dyess We Care Team, provided the Ice House with volunteers who fought the warm weather to keep the ice frozen. However, Storey said helping the community was well worth it. “It was the children,” Storey said. “When we open the gates the children were smiling, thanking us.” However, it was “a bit of a relief” to be done, said Storey who was only one of around 200 people that together put in over 1,700 hours of work in order to bring ice skating to Abilene.
Storey said that the 1,700 hours doesn’t even include all of the time spent setting up advertisements. Storey, like all who are involved in the Dyess We Care Team, works full time at the Dyess Air Force Base. The volunteers of the We Care Team use their off duty hours to help the elderly with small house repairs, and this year they decided to be apart of the Ice House. “It was hard to get out of one uniform and jump into another,” Storey said. “You kind of get your life back.” Storey said the majority of the bulk from the Ice House was removed Sunday and the rest will be moved throughout the next week. E-mail Piersall at: tdp04a@acu.edu
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Hands on
emily smith CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Sharde Henley, junior business management major from Houston works on a poster at the Bean Sprout on Thursday.
Dean Barnard’s Chapel absence to provide new faces n Although Chapel will remain the same, students can expect to see several new faces this semester while Dr. Wayne Barnard teaches in Oxford, England. By MALLORY EDENS Page 2 Editor
Chapel will undergo changes this semester because of the absence of Dr. Wayne Barnard, university dean of Spiritual Formation, who is in Oxford, England, for the semester, and Shane Hughes, coordinator of Chapel programs who resigned on Jan. 3 to take a campus ministry position in Fort Smith, Ark. Barnard has already planned Chapel for the semester and said he will continue to monitor the planning and implementation of Chapel from England. However, because his absence
limits his involvement in day-today affairs, he has put together a team that will be in charge of implementing Chapel. The team includes Mary Kay Knight, administrative coordinator; Jeremiah Gibson, senior youth and family ministry major from Garland; Peter Nolte, senior theater major from Seattle, Wash.; Nate Lollar, first-year student of the Graduate School of Theology from Tucson, Ariz.; Brian Escochea, sophomore electronic media major from San Antonio; and Ashley Hansen, first-year master of education in higher education graduate student from Corinth. Barnard said he hopes to stay in near-daily contact with this team, but he has set aside tasks for each member. Knight, Barnard’s assistant, will coordinate the staff and the
office of Spiritual Formation, which includes Chapel. She will also prepare all announcements and prayer requests. Gibson will coordinate the worship portion of Chapel, including the worship leaders, worship teams, prayer leaders, Scripture readers and PowerPoint. Nolte will serve as a technician, running PowerPoint and video presentations. Lollar will coordinate the setup of Chapel, including “Come to the Quiet,” contemplative prayer services which will now be offered twice monthly. Escochea works in the office and is responsible for data entry and maintaining attendance records and Chapel exemptions. Hansen is Barnard’s graduate assistant and will continue
to help him with teaching assignments in the College of Education and Human Services and with coordinating his class. She will also help in the office with special projects. Though it is hard for him to be away, Barnard has full confidence in the team. “I absolutely love being here in Oxford; it’s one of my favorite places. However, it is difficult being away from ACU,” Barnard said in an e-mail. “When your life has been poured out into a place like ACU, it’s tough to feel disconnected, especially with Chapel [being] a daily event in the lives of students. “I’m confident in the team I have assembled. These are capable students and staff who love Chapel as much as I do. I know that they are prayerfully considering their work, and that they know how central Chapel is to the ACU experience.” More people will also be responsible for presiding over Chapel in week-long intervals, including Dr. Dwayne VanRheenen, Dr. Jack Reese, Dr. Jeff Arrington, Bob Booth and Mark Lewis. “I think the most difficult aspect [of being away] is having shared leadership from presiders,” Barnard said. “We have great people standing in the gap, but it’s difficult to preside for a few days or a week at a time. There’s a flow one develops as a daily presider in Chapel, because a daily presence provides a consistent and comprehensive view of the life of the campus.”
Dr. Bob Strader, director of leadership; Dr. Charles Mattis, dean of the First-Year Program and Dr. Barnard will preside live from Oxford via video feeds. This will be the first time ACU has ever attempted video feeds from Oxford, and they are highly anticipated. “I’ve planned two Thursday Chapels which will be conducted by students and faculty studying abroad in Oxford and Montevideo,” Barnard said. “Also, we’ll pilot these feeds by me presiding one week in Chapel. We’re using iChat technology with MacBookPro computers. I’m really excited about these opportunities and being able to expand our abilities with future Chapel presentations.” Only a few changes will come to the Chapel schedule. There will be theme Chapels on Mondays and various speakers on other days. On theme days, speakers will present on different topics as related to the semester theme of “God’s Will as a Way of Life.” Thursday group Chapels will continue to meet. Come As You Are will meet in Chapel on the Hill, but the 18:38 group Chapel, which met last semester in Hart Auditorium, will not meet this semester. Anyone not involved in small group Chapels will meet in Moody Coliseum, which will now host various student, staff and faculty speakers rather than the Rob Bell videos that were viewed last semester. Barnard has high hopes for Chapel this semester, and be-
lieves our community can begin sharing more deeply in fellowship and in the understanding of God’s will as a way of life. “I think the first week in Chapel has proven that in a brief period of time, such as Chapel, we can raise questions which create further conversation throughout the day,” Barnard said. “Such conversation is vital as people struggle together with the pursuit of truth and understanding. We sharpen one another through our shared experience and through working together to understand one another’s experience. My hope is that Chapel can engage students, staff and faculty in conversation and thinking that will continue in the classroom, in the campus commons and in our relationships with each other. “Specifically this semester, I believe that focusing conversation on the will of God as a way of life will challenge us to rethink our views of the nature of God, his desire for relationship with us and how he works in our daily lives.” More information concerning Chapel can be found on the ACU Web site at www.acu.edu. If anyone has a question or concern relative to ACU business, they may contact Mary Kay Knight by e-mail at marykay.knight@acu.edu, or by phone at (325) 674-2854.
E-mail Edens at: mxe06a@acu.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Page 5
ACU bids farewell to multicultural director, pioneer n LaShae Grottis, Director of Student Services and Student Multicultural Enrichment, will leave ACU on June 1 to begin her new position: motherhood. By ASHLEY ROBINSON Student Reporter
After seven years of service to ACU, LaShae Grottis is preparing to say goodbye. Although her departure will be a significant loss to the minority student body, it is also a bitter-sweet change. It will be time of celebration, as LaShae and her husband Sherwin Grottis, will be welcoming their first child. LaShae Grottis, director of Student Services and Student Multicultural Enrichment, serves as a liaison for the minority students on campus. She assists with recruiting minorities and creating programs that will teach diversity on campus. She also works to develop more diverse student organizations. Grottis’ maternity leave will begin April 9. She will be gone for seven weeks, but will return in a consultanttype role. “My plan is leave for good at the end of the semester,
but I will come back to school the last week in May to help the new person transition into this position,” Grottis said. Her last official day will be June 1. “It was a decision my husband and I made even before we got married,” Grottis said.
Her Legacy Leaving the university will not be easy. Grottis is deeply rooted in the multicultural enrichment program and its efforts to diversify ACU. In addition to her duties as director, Grottis also assists in other various organizations and events on campus including: Essence of Ebony, Virtuous Women of African Heritage Sisterhood, ISA, and the Black History production. Eric Mallet, junior communications and Christian ministry major from St. Louis, said, “La Shae has such a presence on campus. [She] is a strong pillar of faith and wisdom; I am going to miss her.” Mallet, former Essence of Ebony president, has known Grottis for almost three years. “She means so much to ACU, and as far as to the Af-
rican American students, as a mediator and liaison between students and faculty,” Mallet said. Jeff Arrington, Assistant Provost for Student Learning and Associate Dean of Campus Life, said that she will be a great loss to the university. “She is a very elegant lady that draws students to her,” Arrington said. “She has pioneered quite a lot of work on campus concerning diversity issues and multicultural enrichment.” “I know that getting married and motherhood is a part of her life dream,” Arrington said. “I am happy for her personally, even though professionally it is a loss for us.”
Filling Her Shoes Filing Grottis’ position will not be easy. Grottis and Arrington are working with a panel of faculty and staff that will interview and narrow down the best candidates. From there they will make a hiring decision to determine the most qualified applicant for the position. Arrington, who already has about a half dozen applications said, “The most
important thing is to have the right person and not just a person. “We want this new person to have focus and energy and be able to have influence and make changes,” Grottis said. “We want him or her to be a person who can relate to students and help them to build on things that we have already begun.” The new director will need to address subjects of race with people of all backgrounds. “It is important that new director will not be too timid to approach the subject of race on campus.” Mallet said. “Rather, that they are objective in their opinions and not just the support the minority students but to also enrich the awareness on the ACU campus.” The office of Multicultural Enrichment is looking for an individual that can communicate and connect with ACU’s minority student groups: African Americans, Hispanics and international students. “This position requires personal experience and skills to be a credible voice among faculty and administration, to be able to be effec-
tive,” Arrington said. Both Arrington and Grottis agree that the new director will need to be aware and sensitive to issues dealing with race. Their goal is to get someone who is a minority in sense, without actually being only African American or Hispanic. “It is critical that this person be able to communicate and engage with students of color,” Arrington said. Arrington said he would like to see hiring of a qualified applicant overlap with Grottis’ departure so that she will have time to work with that individual.
The Next Level Grottis’ departure will also serve as a time of transition for the university. Even though the university will be losing a valuable employee, it is also presented with the chance to step up cultural awareness and activity on campus. “I really believe that this is a great opportunity for the university to go to the next level of change,” Grottis said. The university must now work to create a more di-
verse curriculum that will help prepare students for the real world. “We must ask ourselves, is our diversity where we want it to be? And does the diversity of our administrative staff match our students and the mission of the university itself?” Grottis said. As the university continues to grow, so will Grottis and her husband as they transition stages in their life. “This is a new part of our relationship and marriage,” Grottis said. “We are very excited, and we are ready to meet the baby.” Grottis said that she will miss working at ACU. “I’ve had a really good experience. Its been challenging at times, but I feel good with what I have done. “I have gotten to do everything that I wanted to do. I’ve gone to school, got a masters degree, traveled and made contributions to all of these positions and I’ve lived in lots of places, “ Grottis said. “Now I’m ready to face the challenge of motherhood.”
E-mail Robinson at: optimist@acu.edu
Barnard leaves position in Residence Life for Faculty Enrichment n Dr. Mimi Barnard will be changing positions when she returns from Oxford to move to the Adams Center where she will be Faculty Enrichment Director. By LAUREN SUTTON Opinion Editor
Beginning in Fall 2007, Mimi Barnard will step down from her position as Residence Life Director to fill the position of Faculty Enrichment Director, which is linked to the Adams Center for Teaching Excellence. The position of Fac-
ulty Enrichment Director, which was previously held by Gary Tucker before his transition to working with ACU Worldwide, involves assessing and meeting the needs of ACU faculty as well as Barnard showcasing and encouraging excellent teaching techniques. Last year, after assessing each department, The
Adams Center for Teaching Excellence constructed a campus-wide needs analysis, which they refer to as “the life model for faculty engagement.” This model integrates different aspects that the Adams Center believes are needed to encourage positive teaching: focus, innovation and leadership. As Faculty Enrichment Director, Barnard was chosen for this position to make this model a reality by fostering positive relationships between faculty
and students. “We needed someone who has a passion for teaching and learning, and Mimi does,” said K.B. Massingill, executive director for the Adams Center. “She has worked hard to learn students’ needs and the dimension between students and faculty.” Her studies in student, faculty collaboration and the encouragement of ACU faculty led Barnard to apply for the position; she was one of 12 applicants. “All of this led me to
think seriously about the contribution I could make to the institution I love from a different vantage point,” Barnard said. Barnard, who is currently in Oxford, will begin her new job next fall, and the Adams Center is excited to have her work for them. “We are a very team-oriented organization,” said Massingill. “It’s a fun place to be and have team focus. We are excited to have Mimi and complete the team.” The position for Resi-
dence Life Director has not yet been filled, and while Barnard is sad about leaving this position, she said she is pleased with the work that has happened in Residence Life under her leadership. “This is a bittersweet time for me—leaving something that has been fun and challenging but looking towards new opportunities to make a difference at ACU,” Barnard said.
E-mail Sutton at: les03c@acu.edu
ViewsWednesday Optimist
Page 6
January 24, 2007
Professors violate ACU attendance policy
The issue:
ACU policy is that students must attend 80 percent of a class to pass, but students are often docked points on their final grade because of personal attendance policies of particular professors.
Every student knows the feeling of having one extra absence affect his or her grade. For many professors the difference between three and four absences is enough to deduct a letter grade. The attendance policy in the Student Guide states that students must attend 80 percent of their classes to pass. It says nothing else about attendance. No mention of four absences being more significant than three can be found. ACU has one attendance policy, but within the colleges, departments and individual professors are numerous attendance policies. This creates confusion among the students. Much like federal law sets a standard throughout the country, so should an atten-
Our view:
If students have not violated ACU’s attendance policy their grades should be dependent on their work and not their attendance.
The solution:
Be aware of ACU’s attendance policy. If you have had points deducted in a class, talk to the professor about his policy to see if adjustments can be made.
dance policy stay up to Because ACU keeps students accountable for be made that their absences, why do professors feel the need date with holds the the material. to make attendance more valuable same stanA class than it needs to be. dards for evwith a proery class and fessor who professor. has a slack Because or missing a quiz grade. attendance ACU keeps students ac- However, high school is in policy lets the student countable for their absenc- the past and students can decide when to come and es, why do professors feel make their own choices when not to come to class, the need to make atten- about class attendance. thus feeling more like an dance more valuable than Professors sometimes adult. A student can deal it needs to be? think enforcement of a with the consequences of Students are responsible strict attendance policy not going to class. enough to make decisions forces a student to be Classes with an attenabout class attendance more disciplined and dance policy outlining without punishment from learn to cope with the how many points each a professor. The grade a “real world.” absence costs condestudent ultimately receives In reality, strict poli- scend students, turning should be all the encour- cy only makes the stu- them off from the proagement or punishment dent feel more like a high fessor and the class for he needs without the add- school student again who restricting their freedom ed grade deduction from a can’t make responsible de- in decision-making. It is professor. cisions about himself. impossible to assess the Attendance is important Professors feel attendance value of a missed class on to students when missing a is vital in class participation a point scale. class means getting behind and the students’ chance to Students should be al-
Cole Williams
Let Loose
Spend time investing in a good book Nearly half of your life will be spent consuming media during 2007, which m e a n s watching TV, going online, listening to the radio or music and reading. That’s what the Face the U.S. Census Facts Bureau predicted in its Mallory “Statistical Schlabach Abstract of the United States: 2007,” released Friday. The Bureau’s Statistical Abstract released each year since 1878, provides stats junkies with information on social, political and economicalrealmsofAmericans’lives. In an USA Today article, the author listed more statistics regarding how much media Americans will consume this year, including: Americans will spend 65 days in front of the TV, 41 days listening to the radio, more than a week of browsing the Internet and another week reading a daily newspaper. While it is fascinating to see how much Ameri-
The more one reads, the more knowledge one gains about a variety of topics ranging from history, general knowledge, politics or sports. cans rely and want information at their fingertips, it also saddens me to see that watching TV is at the top of the list. Television itself is not bad, and there are many worthwhile shows to add in to a weekly routine. But what about the invaluable information that can be gleaned from reading a good book? A cognition professor published a report recently that listed the benefits of reading. Even
if a person achieved only one of these benefits in a lifetime, reading would still be worth it. Among the benefits she included were: 1) Reading expands your vocabulary because books and written materials use rarer vocabulary than what is found in every day conversation, in the classroom or on TV; 2) The more one reads, the more knowledge one gains about a variety of topics ranging from history, general knowl-
Suggested reading from World Book Poll 1. To Kill a Mockingbird 2. The Bible 3. The Lord of the Rings 4. 1984 5. A Christmas Carol 6. Jane Eyre 7. Pride and Prejudice 8. All Quiet on the Western Front 9. His Dark Materials Trilogy 10. Birdsong 11. The Grapes of Wrath
12. The Lord of the Flies 13. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time 14.Tess of the d’Urbervilles 15. Winnie the Pooh 16. Wuthering Heights 17. The Wind in the Willows 18. Gone with the Wind 19. Great Expectations 20. The Time Traveler’s Wife
21. The Lovely Bones 22. The Prophet 23. The Alchemist 24. The Master and the Margarita 25. Life of Pi 26. Middlemarch 27. The Poisonwood Bible 28. A Clockwork Orange 29. A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
edge, politics or sports; 3) Reading makes you smarter. An avid reader’s IQ is found to be higher than that of people who don’t read often; 4) Reading helps people to both write and concentrate better; and 5) avid readers tend to be more flexible in thought and open-minded. This year Americans are expected to spend more than $55 billion on books. Here is a list compiled from the World Book poll by the Museum, Libraries and Archives Council with books that every adult should read before they die. Not everyone may agree on the books listed here, and one may want to add a few of their own. Regardless, these books can be a starting place to begin a reading journey. Books can be found for free at one of three libraries in Abilene, or for relatively cheap prices at a used bookstore on Butternut Street. Pick up a good book and reap the benefits.
E-mail Schlabach at: mes02e@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu
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
Growing old, learning the art of listening She is barely over five political perspectives. feet tall now, and osteo- She listened to us while porosis has claimed her we played Mad Gab. body, stooping her shoulI think I only held a ders and conversation with my b r i t t l i n g great-grandmother once her al- during her stay. One afready frag- ternoon, I sprawled on the ile bones. couch to read Wicked; she When my sat on the other end and g r e a t - looked out the window. g r a n d - When she asked what I m o t h e r was reading, I explained Thoughtful w a l k e d that I had seen the BroadRamblings into my way show in Chicago p a r e n t s ’ earlier this year, and her Kelsi house on face lit up. She launched Peace Christmas into a lengthy explanaEve, I was as- t o u n d e d tion of the plays she and by how much the past few my great-grandfather years have aged her. had attended on a trip to The great-grandmoth- New York, describing and er I remember would sit critiquing the music, cosfor hours by the pool at tumes and acting. her condo, watching my The content of our conyounger brother and I versation was not as imentertaining ourselves portant as the reminder it by jumping in repeated- sent me: she is a woman ly. After swimming, we who has lived a life rich would go inside for din- with experience and love, ner. My mom and great- a life that has witnessed grandparents countless would laugh a d v e n and talk. tures, tragWhile no one else She’s is edies and will observe her in her ninesuccesses. ties now, and white hair, crooked Yet at the still regularly wrist or inability to end of it dies her hair all, there see, they all exist a dark aushe sat, lisnonetheless. burn. On her tening. left wrist, my Out of all great-grandmy memomother wears a thick ries of my great-grandpearl bracelet every day. mother, her gracious The bracelet hides her hostessing, her attention wrist bone, which healed to detail and her sacriskewed after a bad break ficing spirit, I am most many years ago. She un- moved by the memory of failingly presents me with her silence. I hope somea check and a card for day to practice what my Christmas and my birth- great-grandmother does day; my grandmother so easily: listening. The writes them now because kind of listening that her mother can’t see to makes the speaker feel as read or write. if he or she is all-imporWhile no one else will tant. The kind of listenobserve her white hair, ing that isn’t seeking an crooked wrist or inability opportunity to dominate to see, they all exist none- the conversation. theless. But there is still She may appear to be more to this woman. a fragile, elderly woman. She spent four days But I know there is so with us at Christmas and much more to my greatpassed most of them sit- grandmother—she is in ting quietly on the couch. fact, so strong, that she is She can’t read, do cross- able to just listen. word puzzles or watch TV. So she listens. She listened to a tiresome political debate among a famE-mail Peace at: ily that represents many knp04a@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu
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
lowed to make their own choices regarding class attendance. A student’s grade should depend on their own competence and understanding of the material. Passing grades along with a solid understanding of the material should not be hindered because of what the professor thinks are excessive absences. ACU prides itself on being a university of caring students, faculty, professors and so on, but with the caring needs to come a sense of letting go. Professors should loosen the reins and let students pass or fail because of the work they have done. Not for the classes they attended or not.
Editorial and Management Board Mallory Schlabach
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CAMPUS NEWS
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Page 7
Students exposed to opportunity at Service Expo n Twenty local organizations will be in the McGlothlin Campus Center Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for the semi-annual Service Expo to recruit volunteers. By RACHEL DAVIS Student Reporter
Students looking for ways to serve in the Abilene community need look no further. The Volunteer and Service-Learning Center will conduct its semi-annual Service Expo Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the Campus Center. This semester, the Expo will host about 20 Abilene organizations looking for volunteers, said Rita Harrell, administrative assistant in
the Volunteer and ServiceLearning Center. “This is just a great opportunity for a lot of these places to be exposed to the ACU students and for the students to see how they can volunteer and meet other’s needs,” Harrell said. A few of the organizations scheduled to appear are the Alzheimer’s Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Love and Care Ministries. Different organizations come each day. “A lot of students aren’t even aware of the needs some of these people have,” Harrell said. “Most of these people rely on volunteers because they’re non-profit or-
ganizations, so we just want to try and let the students know where the opportunities to serve are.” Harrell said the Expo was a great way for new students and students who don’t know their way around Abilene to find ways to serve. Many students are required to have service hours for classes or scholarships and it helps them out as well. Most of the organizations scheduled for the Expo have participated before, but this time students will see new faces. Wesley Court, a retirement center, and Imagine Enterprises are coming for the first time. Imagine Enterprises, an
organization that provides benefits and planning and assistance for disabled persons, recently received a new grant to aid them in helping teenagers and young adults with difficult backgrounds. “We’re looking for mentors for these teens,” Rosemary Burks, project coordinator for Imagine Enterprises, said. “We’re really hoping we get some students that want to participate with us.” Big Brothers Big Sisters is an organization that comes every semester to the Expo. Jamie Bearden, public relations director for Big Brothers Big Sisters, said, “People are always seeking us out to volunteer. This way, we can
come to the school and let them find us.” Big Brothers Big Sisters recruited about 100 volunteers in the fall, and they typically do recruit fewer in the spring, but they are hoping for a lot of new volunteers to help out, Bearden said. The first Service Expo was held in 1999, and Harrell said she didn’t know how many volunteers there have been each year but thinks it has helped to promote awareness of service opportunities in the Abilene area.
help wanted Different organizations will be available each day during the Service Expo in the McGlothlin Campus Center. n Red Cross n Big Brothers Big Sisters n Christian Service Center n Communities in Schools n HERO n Hendrick Friendship House n International Rescue Committee n Love and Care Ministries n March of Dimes n Noah Project n ACU Outdoor Club n Volunteer and Service-Learning Center n Betty Hardwick Center n Day Nursery of Abilene n Food Bank of Abilene n Imagine Enterprises
E-mail Davis at: optimist@acu.edu
Students ‘Unite’ at non-denominational worship service n Unite, a Tuesday night service for college students, hosts more than 200 college students at its non-denominational service. An estimated 50 percent are from ACU. By CAMILLE PAINTER Student Reporter
At Fountain Gate Fellowship Church, Jeremy West prepares to close the Unite weekly service of worship. He plays the final song, says the closing prayer and looks into the crowd of more than 200 young adults. Nobody moves. The auditorium is silent for a moment. Finally, somebody yells, “one more song.” West puts his fingers back on the guitar strings, and the worship continues. “People just don’t want to leave,” Jeremy West, senior English major from Garland, said smiling. This hesitation to leave may seem atypical for most church services, but at Unite, a Tuesday night service for college-
aged Christians, excitement stretches limits and the desire to stay is a weekly occurrence. The last four services extended past the closing prayer, one of them lasting until 11:30 p.m. Unite leader Brandon Hawk said he has noticed a difference in students today compared to two years ago when the group first formed. “There is an excitement and an expectancy to see God move, not just four songs and a sermon and we go live life,” said Hawk, college minister at Kingdom Life Fellowship Church. “It’s something that’s real and it’s powerful and changing. That’s where God is and that’s what we’re experiencing at Unite.” Daniel Oppong, sophomore integrated marketing communications major from Lake Dallas, said Unite brought him more clarity on God’s love and his identity in Christ. Oppong said that while much of the focus in churches
has been on sin, it should be on what we can do now that we’re saved. “You just spend your life doing spiritual pushups to get back in God’s graces and basically you live a life of performing for God rather than living in his unconditional love,” Oppong said. Oppong and West agreed that one has to encounter God personally to be truly passionate, a side effect the two have experienced while being active with Unite. “When my mind and my heart is living in eternity and living by the Spirit, I can love Jesus everyday, and everyday is a good day because it’s not about the circumstances,” West said. Oppong said while in Unite, he found acceptance of God’s love takes the pain out of bad situations. “It provides you that security. That’s what people need— the love of God—and once you
Speaking Center joins Commons n The Communication Department’s Speaking Center in the Learning Commons will help students with presentations, PowerPoint and interview skills. By ATSUMI SHIBATA Page Designer
The Learning Commons will begin a new service next week to assist with various presentation and communication skills. The Speaking Center, organized by the Communication Department, will help students with information management related to speaking presentations, PowerPoint and interviewing skills. The center provides summary materials for outlining, research content and delivery. It also offers communication practice sessions and feedback, according to the Learning Commons press release.
The center is staffed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday afternoon and evening until 10 p.m. “We want to serve students,” Tucker said. “We try to create a new environment for students.” Tucker said more students began to use the library since it was renovated last semester. The number of students assisted at the library doubled, Tucker said, and more professors began to use the library as well. “That’s what we want,” he said. Tucker also said he expects the Speaking Center will bring more students to the library. Keri Crawford, senior criminal justice major from League City, is one of the students who
use the library to study or to use computer lab. Crawford said she thinks the Speaking Center will benefit students. “I think it will be a good opportunity,” Crawford said. “Students should take advantage of it.” Tucker said he thinks the university didn’t have a similar service in the past. “It’s extremely important that people speak professionally,” Tucker said. He said the library has overcome some of the biases such as having a Starbucks and allowing food in the building. “We have to re-evaluate how students learn outside the classroom,” Tucker said. Students can drop in or make an appointment at the Speaking Center desk in the Learning Commons. E-mail Shibata at: axs03d@acu.edu
get a revelation in that and you’re able to be secure in that, just live in it,” Oppong said. “Life is great all the time, it’s just great because you’re secure in his love and you know his prophecy, and that’s what you live by.” Like most church services in Abilene, Unite runs on a basic itinerary, starting with fellowship at 7:30 p.m., getting seated at 8 p.m., singing a couple of songs, going over announcements, listening to the speaker, and so forth, but Unite has no set ending time. And unlike most services, Unite is multidenominational. It is the corporate college service for six different churches: Kingdom Life Fellowship, River of Life, New Hope, Fountain Gate, Morning Star and Faith Deliverance, but the membership does not stop with these six. There are also many members from Beltway Baptist and other congregations who worship with Unite
regularly. An estimated 50 percent of the students at Unite are from ACU. The mixture strengthens the group, Hawk said. “The judgment goes out the window and there’s love and acceptance and I really think God looks down on that, and it makes him smile when that takes place,” Hawk said. Oppong said limiting a church by denomination and time is putting it in a box. “Sometimes if you take God out of church nothing will be different about the service so rather than putting a limit on it, we just take him at his word,” Oppong said. West agreed. “You need to be willing to do whatever it takes to experience God,” West said. “If we need to be there until midnight, we’re going to be there until midnight; if we got to stand on our heads, we’re going to stand on our heads.” Unite was not made for students to act crazy or stay out
late, but sometimes that can be a symptom of passion. “It’s like being with your girlfriend,” West said. “If you really like her, you don’t want to be like, ‘OK, two hours are up. Get out of my car now. Thank you.’ If you enjoy God and you know that he enjoys you it’s not work, it’s fun.” This is the type of attitude, Hawk said, he can sense around campuses and congregations this semester. “One of the dreams God has given me in my heart is just to see 10,000 college kids from all different denominations and all different backgrounds worshiping together weekly and experiencing God together in a powerful way,” Hawk said. “I guarantee you one of these weeks this year we’re going to end up staying up all night,” West said.
E-mail Painter at: optimist@acu.edu
Page 8
Friday, January 24, 2007
CAMPUS NEWS/ SPORTS JUMPS
Senior IMC student to publish 30-day devotional book n Lauren Hart will publish her first book ‘The Heart of Hadassah,’ which was written as a class project. The book will help women learn from Esther to reveal their true identity. By MICHELLE JIMENEZ Copy Editor
Lauren Hart, senior integrated marketing communications major from Austin, is in the midst of publishing her first book of devotionals, which began as a class assignment.
Last semester Hart was enrolled in a class entitled “Media and Religion” where Dr. Charles Marler, professor emeritus and senior faculty of journalism and mass communication, had each student create a project that combines media and religion. Hart settled on a book of devotionals based on the Old Testament story of Queen Esther. Hart’s book, The Heart of Hadassah, is a 30-day devotional that is meant to encourage women to step out from hiding
and reveal their true identity. Esther was chosen as the main subject for Hart’s devotional because she too hid who she really was, Hart said. “Esther is one of two books in the Bible about women,” Hart said. “As Christian women it is important to know their story … We can learn from her and the mistakes she made and know she is struggling like the rest of us.” Hart breaks down the 10 chapters of the Book of Esther as she focuses on dif-
ferent aspects of the story while remaining factual. “My book is suppose to help you partner with the Bible,” Hart said. Jennifer Fuentes, class of ‘06, helped design the layout and the cover for the book. Last semester Fuentes displayed a painting of her silhouette titled “Esther” at her senior art show. Hart said she came across the painting and knew she had to meet with Fuentes. Thus began the collaboration.
“It all started with a painting,” Fuentes said. She and Hart both agreed that God had a hand in putting them together to work on the project. “God can divinely bring two people together ‘for such a time as this,’” Fuentes said, quoting a phrase from the Book of Esther. Currently, the female social club GATA, where Hart is the club chaplain, has plans to use the book of devotionals for its spring retreat.
“I wanted to reach out to the girls in GATA somehow,” Hart said. Hart plans to sell her book in the future but is not certain on the price. “I just want to give it out to people as cheap as possible,” Hart said. “I want them to be blessed by it.” For more information on buying a copy of the devotional, e-mail Hart at lmh02g@ acu.edu. E-mail Jimenez at: mmj04b@acu.edu
Waterball: Playoffs confuse teams Continued from page 10 playoffs for waterball in the Spring, but is a little confusing for some of the teams that are playing in it,” said Grant Cunningham, senior Biblical Text major from Abilene and captain of the Frater Sodalis social club team. “Playing in the spring semester definitely is hurting us because we are going to the first game without two of our best players, two key players,” Cunningham said.
“But we are going there to have fun and to win.” Rescheduling the waterball playoffs to the Spring semester won’t interfere with finals or midterms, said Luke Kittley, freshman undeclared major from Abilene and crew chief for the intramural sports. “Dealing with teams and explaining to all of them was the hardest part of all,” Kittley said. “That’s just life; you got to be flexible,” Hardcastle said. “There are things that
are not in our control, when it come to facilities.” Basketball is the next sport on the spring schedule followed by a golf shoot out, 3-on-3 basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer, outdoor soccer, team tennis, softball and club track meets.
E-mail Matai at: optimist@acu.edu
Trail construction postponed n Construction on Phase II of the bike facility may begin this summer if funds are available. The project, which began in 2001, will be completed in three phases.
“I hope people will use the bike trails and then others can see what it is and how it works. When you see people moving around and not just metal boxes moving around, it creates a more vibrant community.”
By LAUREN SUTTON
Jeff Armstrong, development services manager for the city of Abilene
Opinion Editor
GARY RHODES CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Guard Cortnie Ross goes up for a shot over two Angelo State defenders. Ross scored 18 points and had four steals in the Wildcats 92-76 win over Angelo State on Tuesday.
Cats: Defense comes up big Continued from page 10 steals in the game. Three other Wildcats posted double digits: Ross with 18, guard Tiago Souza with 17 and forward Igor Vrzina with 10. “I think we just played good defense,” Alexander said. That defense held the LSC’s second highest scorer, forward Marcus Hubbard to only
eight points and tallied a season best 20 steals. The 6-foot9 Hubbard, who averaged 22.4 points-per-game, failed to take advantage of the height advantage over the Wildcats. “We responded well to adversity,” Copeland said. “Everybody stepped up it was a really big thing.” Angelo State is now 6-11 overall and 1-2 in conference. In order to make the post-
season ACU must continue to win to cancel out their 0-2 start. “We need to try and put something together from here,” Ross said. “We got to take it one game at a time.” The Wildcats’ next game will be at home against Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday at 4 p.m.
E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu
The more ecologically minded demographic in Abilene will soon have a new way to enjoy healthy, pollution-free transportation as the city continues to work on the proposed bike trail. In 2001, Abilene began looking to create a bike facility that would be broken up into three stages and completed throughout the next several years. The first phase, which has been completed, was to build a track that runs from Judge Ely Boulevard to Highway 80. The second phase will take the path past Highway 80 to East South 11th Street. Construction on the second phase will begin this summer if funds for the project are in place. The bike trail will be completed in the third phase, which splits the path at East South 11th Street, running past the
Abilene Zoological Gardens and Nelson Park in one direction and Cal Young Park in the other direction. However, construction of the hike and bike trail has been postponed indefinitely because funds from the Department of Texas Transportation were diverted from the project to homeland security. “Money tends to drive most things, but anytime you are looking at retrofitting a trail or street into existing infrastructure, there will be obstacles,” said Cody Marshall, a design engineer for the hike and bike project. To complete the project, the bike trail will interfere with an existing railroad crossing south of Business 20. The city has decided to create a separate bridge for pedestrians to allow for greater safety. Mar-
shall said a large portion of the estimated $2.4 million project will be used to build the bridge. Jeff Armstrong, development services manager for the city of Abilene, said while many cities have created bike facilities, Abilene’s emphasis is to create awareness of different types of transportation. “I hope people will use the bike trails, and then others can see what it is and how it works,” Armstrong said. “It creates a senses of community. When you see people moving around and not just metal boxes moving around, it creates a more vibrant community.”
E-mail Sutton at: les03c@acu.edu
Women: Buffs hold onto winning streak Continued from page 10 rebounds. Forward Lacey Blau also contributed nine points and eight rebounds. But in the end, the Lady Buffs pulled away with the 12-point victory. With the win, West Texas
A&M improves its winning streak over the Wildcats to seven games. ACU’s mediocre first half in Saturday’s game is not novel. Lately, the Wildcats have had problems playing intensely for the entire game.
But, coach Lavender is optimistic that ACU will be able to pick up the pieces and play well against Texas Woman’s. “I think it’s a mental thing for us right now,” Lavender said. “It’s just something we’ve got to overcome. But, I
think we’ll figure it out.” The Wildcats will play Texas Woman’s on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
E-mail Freeman at: mxf04b@acu.edu
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Page 9
FROM THE FRONT PAGE
Budget: Process to become easier now Policy: Changes to benefit students Continued from page 1
SA Executive Treasurer. Cosgrove said in the past, computer programs would shut down while students were filling out their forms and learning the complicated software proved to be too time-consuming. Casey Thomas, senior accounting major from Wenatchee, Wash., submits the Wildcat Kid and Spring Break Campaign Budgets. Thomas said the old method presented several problems: the previous year’s budget couldn’t be saved, the program had to be re-learned each year and each person could submit only one budget. Thomas, who had completed half of her budget request form for this semester, said the on-
line version is easier to follow. However, she said it’s frustrating because changes can’t be made to one part of a line item — the whole line has to be deleted. The online form cannot be saved, it must be completed at one sitting. Thomas said she contacted Cosgrove about the problems, and Cosgrove said he planned to talk to the program’s creator to make corrections. “I think this program’s a great improvement to what it was,” Thomas said. “There are still more kinks to work out … but it’s really going to be beneficial in the long run.” Cosgrove said the online requests will make the administrative side of budget requests less complicated as well. Requests will be printed out in a uniform format.
In the past, Cosgrove said he had to walk some groups through the process. The questions the online version asks should eliminate confusion, he said. Originally, requests were due Monday; however, because the Web site was not available until after Martin Luther King Day, Cosgrove said the date was moved to 5 p.m. Wednesday. As of Monday afternoon, Cosgrove said he had not received any questions or complaints. He also said he hadn’t received any e-mails confirming a request had been submitted. After submitting their requests, organizations still follow the same procedures they have in the past. Officers meet with either Cosgrove or Kevan Kirksey, SA Chief Financial Officer and sophomore financial manage-
ment major from Tyler, to review the requests, discuss fundraising, prioritize items and work on grant writing, if necessary. Requests are then put before Congress where the 50 members make a final decision and designate money to organizations. “We look at what [organizations] are asking for, how efficient they are and if they’re good stewards,” Cosgrove said. Some groups requests are not met, but “a lot of groups have become realistic,” Cosgrove said. The new Web address is www.acustudents.org, and the budget request form is located under the SA Budget link in the Treasury section.
Continued from page 1
very difficult for people to come together,” Cates said. “Community space is really important to have to encourage students to come out of their rooms.” The renovation will also help bring the building up to code by adding rooms for disabled students. Scott Colley, project manager of the renovation, was not available for comment. RACHEL LAU STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Third Rock Creamery closed its doors in November because of low sales numbers. A sign was posted on the door that says it is closed for relocation, although no further plans have yet been made.
Dean: Final selection to be made soon provost later this week to receive its charge, final directions and specific criteria. The committee is composed of eight professors from different departments within the College of Arts and Sciences. According to the university’s advertisement for the position, responsibilities include “recruitment and evaluation of staff and faculty; curricular planning and development; professional development; strategic planning; budget management; encouragement and support for excellence in teaching, research, service and grant-writing; and oversight of the national accreditation for programs.” Dodd said the advertisement appeared in the Christian Chronicle and the Chronicle of Higher Education. For now, “the number of applications and nominations
E-mail Williams at: optimist@acu.edu
Shop: Low sales hurt business
Continued from page 1
Continued from page 1
Students expecting credit balance refunds should not be affected. Credit balance refunds will still be posted on Wednesday as originally planned. Students taking online classes are able to abide by the new dates for adding and dropping classes as well. After Tuesday, students can go about dropping classes by filling out a withdrawal from class form available in the Registrar’s Office, the Depot and in most
advisers’ offices. Students having difficulties in the banner system should contact the Registrar’s Office. Eric Lemmons, senior Christian ministry major from Tucson, Ariz., said Team 55 will not be of much support with problems in the banner system. “Team 55 is a front line support who can redirect information,” Lemmons said.
E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu
Sikes: Crews to remodel hall
E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu
Continued from page 1
changes every few days,” said Provost Dwayne VanRheenen, which makes it difficult to determine how many applied. Candidates for the position have come from within the university as well as from outside it, VanRheenen said. While specific criteria for the position has not been determined yet, certain general guidelines exist for selecting a dean, Dodd said. For example, candidates should have a Ph.D. in a field within the college, the ability to work with people and leadership experience, Dodd said. “There are a lot of ways to measure leadership,” Dodd said, explaining that leadership experience can be in the form of a coordination position, chairing a department or leading within a church, community or research field. “Obviously, you want management, direction and vision,” Dodd said.
Applicants submitted a list of five references, a curriculum vitae, which includes transcripts, a resume and a list of publications and a letter of purpose. After reviewing the applications and nominations, Dodd said he expects the committee will interview the top candidates before making a recommendation to the provost, who will then make the final decision. “I’m sure we’ll be blessed with some good candidates,” Dodd said. The position will begin in fall of 2007. Applications and nominations can be sent to: Office of the Provost, Search Committee for Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Abilene Christian University, ACU Box 29103, Abilene, TX 79699-9103.
E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu
shut down.” According to the small business advice Web site, www.allbusiness.com, half of all small businesses fail within the first four years. The local ice cream parlor lasted a little more than one year. Former night manager, Zach Smith, said he thought the business failed because it tried to do too much. “My guess is it was spread too thin,” Smith said. “We tried to be a ice cream parlor/coffee shop/serving bagels and cold drinks.” Smith said because customers rarely bought most items on the menu, numerous expensive machines were never used.
Smith said if the business focused on only making ice cream it would have cut costs dramatically and kept the business afloat. Nathan Hathorn, sophomore business management major from Abilene, said he rarely went to Third Rock because it was too expensive for his budget. Hathorn did not think the quality of the ice cream was worth the price they charged. Although Lord eventually plans to relocate Third Rock, Smith is not convinced of the business’ future in Abilene. “I think it’s done for good,” Smith said.
E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu
SportsWednesday
Page 10
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
ScoreBoard Standings MEN’S BASKETBALL
Team
Div. 2-0 1-0 1-1 1-1 0-1 0-2 0-0
ENMU MSU WTAM Angelo TAMU-K ACU Tarleton
Overall 6-9 12-3 9-7 6-10 10-4 9-6 11-4
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Team
WTAM TX Woman’s Tarleton Angelo St. ACU TAMU-K MSU ENMU
Div. 4-0 3-1 2-1 2-2 2-2 1-2 1-3 0-4
Overall 15-3 9-4 9-4 10-6 11-7 6-10 8-8 9-7
Scores
Conference continues in Denton n The women’s basketball team will attempt to win its first road game since Nov. 18 when ACU takes on Texas Woman’s on Wednesday. By MICHAEL FREEMAN Online Editor
The ACU women’s basketball team has a troublesome monkey on its back; The Wildcats have not won a road game since Nov. 18. The Wildcats will have an opportunity to cast the chimp off Wednesday when they take Texas Woman’s University in Denton. “Playing at [Texas Woman’s] is always kind of good for us,” said head coach, Shawna Lavender. “We usually have more fans there than they do. It’s almost like a home game for us.” Lavender said the would-be home game is an advantage for the Wildcats.
Women’s basketball ACU averages 76 points per game and is undefeated at home. But on the road, they average only 61 points. “When we’re playing our game, there aren’t a whole lot of people that can beat us,” Lavender said. One team that was able to beat ACU was West Texas A&M on Saturday. The Wildcats fell to West Texas 62-50 in Canyon. ACU got off to a slow start, and was not able to catch up to the No. 16 team in NCAA Division II rankings. The loss sets the Wildcats at 11-7 on the season and 2-2 in conference competition. “We came out a little timid and kind of let them push us around a lot in the first half,” Lavender said. “Against a great team like that, you can’t afford
[to] dig yourself a hole.” In the first half alone, the Wildcats turned the ball over a total of 22 times. ACU shot only 21 percent (4 of 19) in field goal shooting as the Lady Buffs went into halftime with a 28-12 lead. However, the Wildcats did not go down without a fight. “We made a good run at them in the second half,” Lavender said. The second half featured an offensive surge by the Wildcats. Late in the game, ACU pulled within eight points. Guard Alex Guiton led the way with 15 points, while center Audrey Maxwell recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 10 points and 12 See
Cats conquer Rams
Saturday WOMEN’S BASKETBALL West Texas A&M 62, ACU 50
MEN’S BASKETBALL
WOMEN page 8
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Forward Audrey Maxwell goes for a shot against an Eastern New Mexico defender on Jan. 18. ACU won the game 72-67.
Nine qualify for indoor nationals at opening meet n Seven women and two men athletes from the ACU track & field teams provisionally qualified for the Indoor National Championships in Boston at the season’s first meet.
West Texas A&M 78, ACU 69
Tuesday MEN’S BASKETBALL ACU , Angelo State
By JARED FIELDS Managing Editor
Upcoming Wednesday WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ACU at Texas Woman’s, Denton 6 p.m.
Saturday WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ACU vs. Texas A&M Kingsville, 2 p.m.
MEN’S BASKETBALL ACU vs. Texas A&M Kingsville, 4 p.m.
n Home games listed in Italics
Online
Gary RhodES CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Guard Philip Brooks gets fouled while driving to the basket against a slew of Angelo State defenders. Brooks recorded a double-double, 25 points and 10 assists, in the Wildcats’ 92-76 win Tuesday. View a video update on the ACU men’s and women’s basketball teams seasons so far at www.acuoptimist.com.
Intramural Round-up Upcoming n The intramural schedule seen on the Optimist sports page is not final and is subject to change. Any last-minute changes can be viewed on the intramural bulletin board in Moody Coliseum. BASKETBALL Sign up Deadline: Wednesday Amount per team: $125 Season Begins: Monday WATERBALL Tournament finals Thursday. View complete schedule on intramural board.
Intramural points MEN’S SOCIAL CLUBS Gamma Sigma Phi, 140 Galaxy, 70 Frater Sodalis, 55 WOMEN’S SOCIAL CLUBS Ko Jo Kai, 55 Delta Theta, 25 Sigma Theta Chi, 20
n The ACU men’s basketball team pulled in a must-win game against rivals Angelo State on Tuesday. ACU is 1-2 in conference after the 92-76 win. By DANIEL JOHNSON Sports Editor
The ACU men’s basketball team faced a must-win situation Tuesday night. A loss against rival Angelo State would have dropped them to 0-3 in conference and dashed any reasonable hope of making the regional tournament. “Coming in we knew we
Men’s basketball had to win,” said guard Cortnie Ross. “We didn’t want to dig ourselves a hole; We had to win.” The Wildcats executed when it mattered and kept their postseason hopes alive by downing Angelo State 92-76. “We really needed this one,” head coach Jason Copeland said. The win is ACU’s ninth at home and extended the Wildcats’ record to 1-2 in conference and 10-8 overall. ACU is now tied with Angelo
for fourth in the Lone Star Conference South division. “We take pride in not losing here,” guard Norman Alexander said. After going into the half with a 48-38 lead, the Wildcats’ outpaced the Angelo Rams and led throughout the second half by as much as 20 points. Guard Philip Brooks posted a double-double with 25 points and 10 assists. A majority of Brooks’ 25 came from the free-throw line where he was 12-15. Brooks See
CATS page 8
Waterball championships Thursday n The finals of the ACU intramural waterball tournament, which was postponed in the fall, will be played Thursday night in the pool in Gibson. By BLESSED MATAI Student Reporter
For two months waterball has been on standby because of the burned pump that forced the pool in Gibson to close for two weeks. Although the burned pump was fixed four days before finals of last semester, the tournament was postponed. “We choose to wait because
Waterball we needed a week to do the playoffs,” said Susan Hardcastle, intramurals sports administrative coordinator. “We could have started the playoffs in the fall semester, but we didn’t want to interfere with finals.” Fourteen teams were rescheduled to play in the playoffs that will have a duration of three days. The tournament began Monday, games were played Tuesday and will end Thursday. Waterball is usually played during the fall semester, but
because of the damaged pool pump, the intramural sports office had to move it to the spring semester. “Starting the playoffs for waterball in spring will not interfere with our schedule; it only pushed us back one week.” Hardcastle said. “[It] wasn’t a big deal because we start basketball next Monday, and because of the weather, we are not even sure about the exact dates for basketball.” It may not be a big deal for the intramural office to do the See
WATERBALL page 8
Expectations for the first indoor meet of the year are to achieve personal goals and compete well. But the ACU track team returned with nine provisional qualifiers from the Wes Kittley Invitational in Lubbock this weekend. Seven women and two men earned spots for the national indoor meet. Only one athlete, Sasharine McLarty, earned spots in two events, the 55meters and 200-meters. “I didn’t really plan for it but eventually it just happened,” McLarty said. McLarty, a 200 and 400meter sprinter, said she didn’t know she was being entered in the 55-meters until before leaving for the meet. “They told us before I left here,” McLarty said. “It was my best time.” Head coach Don Hood called McLarty’s performance a “pleasant surprise.” “We knew she was good but I was impressed with how fit she was coming in,” Hood said. “She has more in her.” Three pole vaulters also earned provisional marks: Angie Aguilar, Elizabeth Buyse and Kyle Dennis. Aguilar cleared a height of 12-5.50 feet, and Buyse a height of 11-5.75 feet. Dennis qualified with a height of 16-1.75 feet. “Kyle was a foot and a half under what he has jumped before,” Hood said. “He’ll get accustomed.” Triple jumper Vladyslav Gorbenko earned the second qualifying mark for the men with a jump of 50-10.00 feet for second place at the meet. Cross-country champion Nicodemus Naimadu placed fourth in the mile with a time of 4:21.34. Hood said it takes distance runners longer to get into shape and he’s not worried
Track & Field about the results. “Nicodemus had sinus problems so he’s going to be fine,” Hood said. “He was 10 seconds faster than he was in this meet last year.” Hood attributed the success at the meet to his team’s dedication during fall workouts. While the teams were far from full, those who went proved themselves to Hood. “I know our fall workouts were much more intense than the year before,” Hood said. “I hope it’s just an increase in intensity on their part, they trained a lot more than last year.” Hood didn’t keep athletes out because of any problems, he said some events, such as the mile relay, just need more time before they can be ready to compete. “We need two or three weeks of training,” Hood said. “By Nebraska and Arkansas our team will fill out a lot.” The Wildcats don’t have a meet this weekend and will return to competition Feb. 23 in Lincoln, Neb. or Lubbock for the Texas Tech Open.
Indoor Nationals Qualifiers NIne ACU track and field athletes provisionally qualified for the NCAA Division II National Indoor Championships in Boston on March 9-10. n Sasharine McLarty, 55m, 200m n Shawna-Kaye Thompson, 60m hurdles n Angie Aguilar, pole vault n Elizabeth Buyse, pole vault n Keva Wilkins, 400m n Denise Morgan, 800m n Kim Prather, 55m n Kyle Dennis, pole vault n Vladyslav Gorbenko, triple jump
E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu
Manning Tracker
Super Bowl Starter n The Chicago Bears and rookie Danieal Manning are Super Bowl bound after the Bears defeated the New Orleans Saints 39-14 in the NFC Championship game Sunday. Manning recorded one tackle in the game. The Super Bowl appearance will be Chicago’s first since 1985.
Coming Feb. 2 Danieal Manning feature story/rookie season recap
COURTESY OF CHicago Bears