The Optimist Print Edition 11.30.2007 by ACU Optimist

OPTIMIST THE

FRIDAY November 30, 2007 Vol. 96, No. 25 1 sections, 8 pages www.acuoptimist.com

‘No Country’ gives killing galore, with side of suspense ‘No Country for Old Men’ keeps audience tense but lacks feel-good ending, page 4

SA fills temporary position Doubling up

Congress appointed its first chaplain to the new position it created earlier this month, page 3

The ACU men’s and women’s teams posted home wins Thursday night, page 8

Appointed team to change curriculum Joe Allen, Spano in By Lauren Sutton Copy Editor

The faculty senate recently appointed an implementation team for the upcoming changes that will be made through the new Liberal Arts Core. The team, consisting of

14 faculty members and led by co-chairs, Colleen Durrington, former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Charles Mattis, dean of the First-Year Program, will make recommendations to the university concerning proposed changes as part of the 21st Century Vision.

In forming the team, each department chair made suggestions to the faculty senate as to who they thought would best represent their department, and the senate then chose the current team from those suggestions. The implementation team had their first meeting

Nov. 8 where they received a charge from the provost, and members will begin their work at their half-day retreat on Dec. 14. Durrington said she was honored to be chosen as a See

CORE page 7

Minimum wage war

Cahoots over building By Laura Acuff Student Reporter

Local Abilene establishment Spano’s Italian Restaurant, which closed earlier this month, is now scheduled to reopen in the space once known as Cahoots Catfish and Oyster Bar, 301 South 11th St. as early as January of next year. Cahoots, which also closed in early November, was attached to Joe Allen’s Pit Bar-B-Que restaurant. Both restaurants were owned by the Allen family, who is now leasing the Cahoots space to Joe Spano, Jr. Spano said he looks forward to the more advantageous location Cahoots offered, with more visibility and exposure than was previously available to the restaurant at its shopping center location on Buffalo Gap Road. “Joe and Josh Allen came to me and made me an offer, and I took them up on it.” Spano said. “I’ve been friends with them for years, and they came to me, and the timing just worked out perfect. It wasn’t premeditated at all.” Allen attributed Cahoot’s closing to product costs and lack of wait staff. “It wasn’t making any money, and I’ve had a hard time keeping help,” Allen said. “The labor force is just real tight. I think every restaurant in Abilene is looking to hire people.” Despite cheaper seafood available from overseas markets, Allen said his res-

taurants serve American products, which also adds to the cost of running a seafood restaurant. “All of the seafood products and the catfish products are expensive,” Allen said. “And there’s been a lot about it in the news lately about the China fish, and it’s about $8 or $9 cheaper than the American fish, and we just refuse to buy that product. If it is made in the ‘U.S. of A,’ that’s what we want. No. 1: I think that our products are better products — the ones from the USA, and No. 2: Man, if everything we buy is from out of the United States, that’s not too good, especially for our economy.” Most of Cahoot’s seafood specialties, including catfish, shrimp, oysters and chicken fried steak have been adopted in his next-door restaurant, Joe Allen’s Pit BarB-Que, and all of Cahoot’s former employees, including some ACU students, were given the opportunity to relocate to Joe Allen’s Pit Bar-BQue as well, Allen said. “If anybody wants catfish, they can still have it; it’s the same quality,” said Amy Cullers, junior nursing major from Garfield, N. M., who worked at Cahoots prior to its closing. “We just combined restaurants. Our regulars have moved over to Joe Allen’s, and they still love the food, and they still come, so it’s not like [Cahoots is] a goner or anything.” E-mail Acuff at: optimist@acu.edu

Hunter awarded for higher education work By Sara Snelson Arts Editor

katie gager CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Student worker James Woodruff, sophomore undeclared major from Nashville, Tenn., plants flowers around campus with the campus landscaping crew. This fall season he helped plant more than 4,800 pansies around campus.

New minimum wage act benefits students, strains employers By Michael Freeman Assistant Sports Editor

Elizabeth McCormack quit her job at the ACU Student Recruiting Center after working for more than a year without receiving a pay raise. Had she worked a little bit longer, the government would have given her the raise instead. On May 25, President Bush signed the Fair Minimum

Wage Act of 2007 into law. The act raised the minimum wage from $5.15 to $5.85. McCormack, junior social work major from Moran, left the Recruiting Center, which was paying $5.15 at the time, to find more profitable work. After going through a couple of local jobs over the course of several months, McCormack settled on a job she enjoys. This semester, she works as a student coordinator at the Adams Center for Teaching Excellence. “I love it,” McCormack said. “I couldn’t ask for a bet-

Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

ter group of people to work with. I really like the position. I think it gives me good work experience.” But the best part of her new job is that she gets paid more than minimum wage, she says. Some ACU students have jobs that pay more than $5.85 an hour, although most on-campus jobs are minimum wage positions. With the minimum wage set to increase even more in the coming years, students and the ACU administration are looking for ways to adjust. Part of the Fair Minimum

Wage Act of 2007 includes annual raises until the year 2009. Under the new legislation, the minimum wage will stay at $5.85 an hour until July 25, 2008 when it will boost up to $6.55 an hour. On July 25, 2009, it will rise to its final amount of $7.25 an hour. The required pay increase will also affect many local businesses. Daniel Black, sophomore business administration major from

See

WAGE page 7

Bob Hunter, vice president emeritus, was awarded the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas (ICUT) 2007 Founders’ Award for his significant contributions to the independent sector of higher education. The ICUT Founders’ Award is the highest honor the independent higher education board bestows upon an individual. Hunter has made his name known among people all over the world and has contributed much of his life to helping others through various organizations and jobs he has been a part of. Hunter has helped many students’ financial needs regarding tuition. In 1969, Hunter was named vice president for public relations and development at ACU. Deceased ACU president John Stevens volunteered him to assist ICUT in passing a bill through the legislature providing financial aide to needy Texas students attending 40 independent institutions of higher education. His passion and desire for helping students get the financial aide they needed led him and other ICUT trustees to persuade TEG (The Evaluation Group) to help Texas meet its need for college graduates. “This was not an easy to get passed but was worth every minute of it,” Hunter said. “I am much delighted to have worked with all of the people who were involved in this over the years.” The bill passed,

Abilene Christian University

Photo courtesy of bob hunter

Bob Hunter stands with his ICUT Founders’ Award Sept. 16 at the Omni Houston Hotel. Dr. Royce Money presented the award. and now every year TEG receives millions of dollars to offer students as grants to attend higher education universities in Texas. Texas was the sixth state in the U.S. to pass this bill. This major bill being passed was what ultimately sparked Hunter as the recipient of this award. Hunter found out in March that he would be receiving the award and on Sept. 16, he was awarded at the Omni Houston Hotel. The night included dinner with the 40 independent institutions’ presidents and trustees and the Founders’ Award presentation. Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, presented See

HUNTER page 7

Serving the ACU community since 1912

ACU Police Tip of the Week With cold winter weather arriving, make sure your vehicle is prepared. Check or replace your battery and antifreeze before you get stranded. Report all suspicious activity to the ACU Police Department at (325) 674-2305.

Police Log

Wednesday, March 29, 2006 Friday, November 30, 2007

Calendar & Events

Friday

Purple Friday 7 p.m. ‘Exposed,’ a senior art exhibit, will be on display at the Shore Art Gallery. 7 p.m. iDance, a dance party hosted by Essence of Ebony, will take place at Bennett Gym. 8 p.m. ‘No Reservations’ will be shown for free in Cullen Auditorium. Drinks are $.50, and candy is $.25.

Saturday

3 and 8 p.m. “Christmas Celebration III,” an Abilene Philharmonic Pops Concert, will take place at the Abilene Civic Center. This concert will feature the Classical Choruses of Abilene, the dancers of Shuffles and Ballet II from Little Rock, Ark., soloist Leslie Harper and returning soloists Mary Ann Robinson and Matt Newman. For more information, call (325) 677-6710 or (800) 460-0610.

Announcements A Scholastic Book Fair will be hosted by Theta Epsilon until Friday in the Curriculum and Materials Lab in the Education Building. Hours of operation are Wed. from 8-11 a.m. and noon-5 p.m., Thurs. from 8-11 a.m. and noon-9 p.m. and Fri. from 8-11 a.m. and noon-2 p.m. Make a difference in the life of a child. The Angel Tree booth will be set up in the Campus Center until Friday. Students may pick up a child’s name and purchase Christmas gifts for them. Gifts must be returned to the Volunteer Service-Learning Center by Dec. 3. Ian Moore will play at Crossroads with special guest Hurt Street on Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $15 per person. All ages will be admitted. Crossroads is located at 4216 N. 1st Street. Not sure what to do with your time this summer? Spend

time in New York working at Camp Shiloh, a Christian summer camp where children from New York City’s toughest neighborhoods enjoy games, camp-outs and activities that enrich their lives socially and spiritually. Camp Shiloh is now accepting applications for its summer 2008 staff. For more information or to download an application, visit www.shilohnyc.org or e-mail camp@shilohnyc.org. WorldWide Witness is accepting applications for summer internships and two-year apprenticeships. New locations for ministry include Cologne, Germany; Maiduguri, Nigeria; and Morelia, Mexico. More than 50 locations are available worldwide. Those wanting to fundraise during Christmas break must submit an application before Saturday. For more information, visit www.worldwidewitness.org or contact witness@bible.acu.edu.

Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date: Credited Chapels remaining:

61 05

Monday

5 p.m. The women’s basketball team will play Cisco Junior College in Moody Colliseum.

Tuesday

4 p.m. The HEB Food Stores Feast of Sharing Community Dinner will take place at the Abilene Civic Center until 8 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, contact Mindy Huddleston at (325) 690- 5030.

Volunteer Opportunities Hendrick Hospice Care needs volunteers to accept donations at its “Light up a Life” tree, which will be located at the Mall of Abilene in the courtyard in front of Dillard’s for men. Shifts are available seven days a week in two-hour increments until Jan. 5. For more information, contact Jennifer Forrest or Brooke Hearon at (325) 677-8516. Volunteers are needed until Dec. 17 at the Salvation Army Angel Tree in the Mall of Abilene. Mondays-Saturdays from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sundays from 12:30-6 p.m. Volunteers will help greet shoppers, record personal information from those adopting angels, log in presents and bag presents. Volunteers are also needed at the Civic Center Dec. 17-Dec.22 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. to organize presents, sort and display toys by age group, assemble food bags for families and assist during distribution days, which will be Dec. 21-23. For more information, contact Cecilia Barahona at (325) 677-1557.

The third annual HEB Feast of Sharing will be presented on Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. at the Abilene Civic Center and will continue throughout the evening. The Feast of Sharing brings the community together for a free holiday meal, live entertainment, a children’s area and a Community Service Fair. Volunteers are needed to work shifts from 3-9 p.m. Breakfast on Beech Street needs volunteers to help prepare morning meals and make sandwiches for lunches to go Mondays-Fridays 5 a.m.-7 a.m. Breakfast on Beech Street is located at 3rd Street and Beech Street. For more information, contact Allen Daugherty at (325) 673-9446. Christian Service Center needs assistance filling requests such as clothing, bedding and kitchen items, sorting and organizing donations and occasionally picking up donated items. Christian Service Center is located at 901 Mesquite Street. For more information, call Roberta Brown or Jim Clark at (325) 673-7531.

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.

Edited for space

Mon., Nov. 12, 2007 7:07 a.m. Report of suspicious subject in vehicle at the Church Lot, checked, OK 11:40 a.m. Unlocked vehicle at Campus Center Lot 11:40 a.m. Vehicle accident at Teague Boulevard and Judge Ely Boulevard 1:15 p.m. Report of subject selling magazines at the Campus Center, contacted subject, and he was asked to leave campus, did comply 2:55 p.m. Assisted student with flat tire at University Park Lot 4 p.m. Theft report at the Station 7:30 p.m. Assisted Abilene PD with injured subject call at 1300 Cedar Crest 7:44 p.m. Report of suspicious subject in the yard at 900 Ave F, gone upon arrival 8:15 p.m. Fire alarm at Barett Hall, Abilene FD responded to burned food in Pod 2 8:15 p.m. Medical at 600 EN 16th, subject fell at his residence 10:41 p.m. Unlocked vehicle at the Bible Lot 11 p.m. Unlocked vehicle at 1100 Westheimer 11:07 p.m. Assisted Abilene PD with minor in possession call at 2800 N. Judge Ely Blvd. Tues., Nov. 13, 2007 12:42 a.m. Assisted Abilene PD with curfew violation at Will Hair Park on Ambler 8:41 a.m. Unlocked vehicle at Taylor Elementary 9:12 a.m. Unlocked vehicle at 800 EN 15th 9:46 a.m. Assisted Abilene PD with vehicle accident at Judge Ely and EN 16th 11:50 a.m. Unlocked vehicle at Big Purple Lot 2:15 p.m. Unlocked vehicle at the Bible Lot 9:12 p.m. Report of suspicious subject asking for money at 600 EN 16th, contacted him, placed on criminal trespass warning list, released 9:57 p.m. Complaint of noise violation at Intramural Field, horn was silenced before arrival 11:15 p.m. Burglary of a habitation at McKinzie Hall Wed., Nov. 14, 2007 12:50 a.m. Unlocked vehicle at Sikes Lot 8:40 a.m. Unlocked vehicle in the alley of 1600 Campus Court 10:26 a.m. Parking violation at Mail Services 11:37 a.m. Found bike at South Parking Lot 12:15 p.m. Received call from APD student possibly suicidal in Nelson Hall. Checked with student, RA and RD. All OK. 3:10 p.m. Unlocked vehicle at South Parking Lot 3:56 p.m. Unlocked vehicle at 1200 Yeomans 5:31 p.m. Report of suspicious subject inside the Campus Center attempting to sell items to females, unable to locate Thurs., Nov. 15, 2007 1:35 a.m. Walk through of the

Business Building 8:10 a.m. Unlocked vehicle at 1600 New Castle 1 p.m. Student arrested at Foster Science Building for outstanding warrants, subject transported to Taylor County Jail 1 p.m. Recovered abandoned bicycle off campus 3:45 p.m. Report of object in the roadway at Ambler and Rountree, wood removed 5:56 p.m. Escorted student from Sikes Hall to Smith/Adams Hall 9:48 p.m. Escorted student from Smith/Adams Hall to Sikes Hall 10:28 p.m. Jumpstart vehicle at University Park Lot Fri., Nov. 16, 2007 8:40 a.m. Parking violation at McKinzie Lot 11:40 a.m. Traffic stop on Ambler near Physical Resources for disregarding traffic light 3:10 p.m. Vehicle accident at ACU Drive and Sikes Lot 4 p.m. Student requesting random patrol at 2500 Rountree reference to suspicious subjects selling magazines in the area 5:50 p.m Jumpstart vehicle at Bennett Gym 9:16 p.m. Jump-start vehicle at Barett Lot 10 p.m. Discovered broken window at WPAC, found it done by weed eater 11:39 p.m. Report of loud music at University Park Lot, unable to locate Sat., Nov. 17, 2007 12:03 a.m. Report of subject following student from Clyde in black vehicle, no further information received 12:28 a.m. Report of suspicious vehicle at 500 College Drive, contacted student all okay 7:17 a.m. Report of subjects intoxicated in vehicle near McKinzie Hall, unable to locate 8:34 a.m. Gave access to office in Administration Building for lost item 11:25 a.m. Report of suspicious subject at Bitzi’s Florist on Campus Court. Gone on Arrival 11:48 a.m. Unlocked room at Don Morris Center 1:04 p.m. Unlocked vehicle at N. 8th and Treadaway 5:50 p.m. Parking violation at Barret Lot 6:25 p.m. Unlocked vehicle at Jacob’s Dream Lot 8:15 p.m. Unlocked vehicle at 600 College Drive 11:19 p.m. Loud party at 500 EN 20th, resident warned Sun., Nov. 18, 2007 7:52 a.m. Secured loading dock at WPAC 2:24 p.m. Jumpstarted vehicle at Gardner Lot 5:58 p.m. Gave access to KACU 7:15 p.m. Released stored firearm to their owner at the Station 7:34 p.m. Fireworks at EN 11th and Ave D, checked, unable to locate 8:37 p.m. Report of vehicle blocking driveway at 600 EN 16th, contacted owner, and they moved the vehicle

CAMPUS NEWS

Friday, November 30, 2007

Page 3

SA unanimously appoints temporary chaplain By Kelsi Peace Managing Editor

The Students’ Association Congress appointed its first chaplain at Wednesday’s meeting, filling a position new to the organization and completing a process that, for some, began last year. At SA president Matt Worthington’s recommendation, Congress unanimously approved Nathan McKenzie for the position. McKenzie first resigned from his post as senior senator, the position from which he introduced the legislation to create a chaplain position. Hallie Roberts, senior political science major from

Fort Sumner, N.M., was appointed to fill the position McKenzie vacated. “It lasted a while, didn’t it?” McKenzie said with a laugh as he recalled the lengthy process between his inception of the idea last February and the creation of the temporary position earlier this month. McKenzie said he considered running for 2007-2008 SA president, but instead felt called to a more spiritual role. After prayer, discussion with then-president Maher Saab and summer meetings with Worthington, Dr. Wayne Barnard, university dean of spiritual formation, and Mark Lewis, director of

Student Life, a shell for the new position emerged. “It was still very vague as to what the responsibilities were,” McKenzie said. The chaplain position was intended to remain somewhat free from structure, but McKenzie said he wanted general responsibilities outlined. Today, these responsibilities include serving SA as well as the greater student body, praying over the community with Barnard and Lewis and acting as lesion between the student body and spiritual life administrators. “Sometimes we just neglect needs because we don’t even know how to meet

them,” McKenzie said. First on the agenda for McKenzie, he says, is coordinating class Chapels by appointing chaplains and coordinating the monthly Chapels to eliminate confusion. McKenzie lauded class Chapels for the community they create among people at the same point in life. “The freshmen have different needs than the seniors,” McKenzie said. Within SA, McKenzie plans to cultivate unity in an atmosphere that is sometimes anything but, he said. “We’ve struggled with some division,” McKenzie said. Much of McKenzie’s position is responsive, but he

Christmas socials spark spirit

SA Fund facts n As of Wednesday, SA has spent $68,946.77 from a total budget of $146,257. Funds roll over at the end of the semester. n Upcoming expenses include bringing Def Poetry Jam to campus, now estimated at about $9,000 total. Dr. Wayne Barnard, university dean of spiritual formation, has also approached SA about bringing Shane Claiborne to campus at the cost of $1,000. The money will be donated to The Simple Way community in Philadelphia to help rebuild its facility that caught fire in June. n Congress passed Rep. Rachel Morris’ bill to spend $300 from the Congressional project fund to purchase Christmas lights for Nelson Hall. Purchased lights will be the property of the residence hall, and the residence director will hang them. said one way he plans to foster community within SA is to start a prayer group. “It’s not going to happen in one semester,” McKenzie said. For now, McKenzie will shape the duties of the temporary position, and turn to Congress in the fall to decide

whether the position will become permanent. “I hope people will say, ‘I don’t know how we ever did without this,” McKenzie said.

E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu

No cash attached

By Todd Piersall Student Reporter

As the Christmas season looms and school winds down, social clubs gear up for a fun-filled end to the semester. From watching movies and playing games to helping those who are in need, the groups are ready to be in the Christmas spirit. Women’s clubs Sigma Theta Chi and Ko Jo Kai and men’s club Gamma Sigma Phi will be spending some of their time giving back to the community. Sarah Craddock, senior biochemistry major from Memphis, Tenn. and senior representative for the Kojie’s, said the club will be caroling at Christian Village for the service portion of their Christmas social. “It’s really fun. They love having us there,” Craddock said. “We have a good time getting to sing for them and getting to know them.” Sigma Theta Chi members will spend the first part of the Christmas social collecting canned food on behalf of the Abilene Food Bank, member Lisa Etchison said.

“It’s a great way to end the semester and get ready for finals.” Reagan Morgan, senior marketing major from Arlington

The group will then head to the dollar movie to watch a Christmas movie. Gamma Sigma Phi will be helping Christian Homes of Abilene for the first part of their Christmas social. Mason Orr, senior accounting major from Richland Hills and director of the event, said Christian Homes is providing a list of supplies and toys needed, and GSP members will then go purchase, wrap and deliver the gifts to the organization that night. Frater Sodalis, GATA and Alpha Kai Omega will have themed socials. Frater Sodalis’ Christmas social will be called “Frat Nightmare before Christmas,” said Reagan Morgan, senior marketing major from Arlington and vice president Frats. The group will meet at the University Church of Christ’s youth and family center to play games and watch “The Nightmare be-

fore Christmas.” “It’s a great way to end the semester and get ready for finals,” Morgan said. Alpha Kai Omega will continue its traditional western-themed Christmas social with this year’s “Don’t Mess with the Kaios.” Allie Rogers, elementary education major from Athens and Alpha Kai Omega chaplain, said it should be a lot of fun because everyone usually dresses up. The group will meet at the Ball Ranch, eat barbecue and play bingo. GATA will be having their “Blast from the Past” social at Southern Hills and Prime Time Family Entertainment Center. Julie Rich, family studies major from Abilene and secretary for GATA, said the theme will focus on different decades. TODD Piersall STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER E-mail Piersall at: optimist@acu.edu

Trenton Pope, junior accounting major from Abilene, swings toward the lane on Tuesday during free bowling.

Director of development takes position at York College By Mallory Edens Student Reporter

Brent Magner, director of development, will leave the university at the end of the month to accept a position at York College in York, Neb. Magner is currently responsible for coordinating all ACU fundraising campaign strategies and programs. He also oversees the Major Gifts Office, Stewardship Office, Foundation and Corporate Relations Office and the Development

Programs Office. He has been on the ACU staff since 1994. He graduated from York College in 1979 with an A.A. in General Studies. He said part of the reason he has chosen to leave is that he feels a tie to York. “I struggled with the decision [to leave] because I love ACU. Abilene has been a great home,” Magner said. “I just have a heart for York College and anything that promotes the kingdom of God in the Midwest. It is another call to

another mission at another Christian school.” A replacement has not yet been selected for Magner’s position, but Magner said he anticipates that the department will have no trouble adjusting to his absence. “They’re not going to miss a beat,” he said. John Tyson, Vice President of Development, said a replacement will most likely not be chosen until next year after assessment is made within the department. They are currently

finishing a centennial fundraising campaign that was created to run through the Centennial year. Once this campaign is finished at the end of this year, a new fundraising campaign will be created based on the university’s 21st Century Vision. “It’s not unusual as you come to a close on a campaign

to look for opportunities and make changes,” Tyson said. “We are wrapping up and rethinking things. It’s never easy to replace anyone, especially someone like Brent who has been around so long.” Magner’s responsibilities will be reallocated to other people in the department until

assessment and reorganization is finished in the spring. Tyson said it is difficult to estimate exactly when the position will be filled. “People with good fund raising experience who are effective are hard to come by,” he said. E-mail Edens at: optimist@acu.edu

ArtsFriday Optimist

Page 4 BOX OFFICE stats Newly released movies and gross rates for Nov. 23- Nov. 25. n Enchanted (PG): $35.3 Million n This Christmas (PG-13): $18.6 Million n Beowulf (PG-13): $16.2 Million n Hitman (R): $13 Million n Bee Movie (PG): $12 Million

Coming Soon

Movies opening Friday: n The Golden Compass (PG-13), starring Nicole Kidman, Dakota Blue Richards, Daniel Craig and Sam Elliot. Based on the award-winning novel by Phillip Pullman, The Golden Compass is a fascinating fantasy set in an alternate world where people’s souls manifest themselves into animals of all kinds. Lyra (Richards) is a 12-year-old girl who is trying to rescue a friend who has been kidnapped by a mysterious organization known as the Gobblers. Her rescue mission ends up as a quest to save her world and ours. n Awake (R), starring Hayden Christensen, Jessica Alba, Terrence Howard and Lena Olin. A psychological thriller about “anesthetic awareness” to a patient. A patient’s (Christensen) failed anesthesia leaves him completely conscious during surgery but physically paralyzed. His wife (Alba) is struggling with her own demons, and the intense drama unfolds around them. n The Savages (R), starring Laura Linney, Philip Seymous Hoffman, Philip Bosco and Peter Friedman. The Savage siblings, Wendy and Jon, have done everything they can to move away from home and escape their dysfunctional family legacy. When they find out their father has become crazy and must both return home to help him, they both leave their own personal dysfunctional lives in order to help their father. Once under the same roof again, they discover why they never got along as children and drive each other crazy. But soon they are forced to grow up and realize what family and each other are really about.

November 30, 2007

‘No Country’ shows no remorse, relentless By Sara Snelson Arts Editor

“No Country for Old Men” is suspenseful, psychotic and violent. The plot casts the theater on a constant rollercoaster, leaving your body either tense and lacking breath or re-cooperating from the fear and awaiting the next breathless scene. Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), who plays a psycho killer and looks as scary as he acts, is out for what belongs to him, or more like what he killed for. His actions are relentless and merciless — so much that he kills anyone or anything that gets in his way. This killing machine shows no remorse or emotion of any kind after brutally going above and beyond getting rid of someone. “No Country” takes place in West Texas where the land is vast, quiet and bleak. Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) is a welder who lives with his wife (Kelly MacDonald), in a trailer park. He is the guy you root for the entire movie. One day Moss happens to stumble upon a drug bust gone bad and a river of murdered men. While snooping around the scene, he finds a truckload of cocaine and a satchel of $2 million. Moss’ first mistake was walking away from the scene with the money, which ultimately asked for an endless hide-and-seek game that would not end righteously. The only comic relief brought to the screen is an aging, disillusioned, third-generation Sheriff Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), whose sarcastic wisdom provides a chuckle or

No Country for old men Directed by Ethan and Joel Coen, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin. n Based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy n Running time: 122 minutes. n Rated R for violence - lots of killing. n Playing at Century Abilene 12 located at 3818 John Knox Drive.

★★★✩✩

two in the midst of the horrific bloodshed. The three, who are never on the screen at the same time, provide as much intensity as a single character as a whole army can at the climax of a battle scene. Plenty of guns fire, cars are blown up and a new killing contraption is brought to attention by Anton: a needle air gun, which shoots a thin strip of metal into your head and is then sucked back into the machine. The machine’s strength is so great he uses it to blow open dead locks on doors. But that insane machine is not what makes the movie most intense and jaw dropping. The breathless scenes are ones of silent conflict between the characters. In one scene, Moss is hiding out in a hotel room with the money and discovers a tracker has been hidden in the bag the entire time. While trying to sleep, he hears footsteps coming down the hall and a tracking device that’s beep is getting faster as he nears his door. The two characters sit on either side of the door in anticipation, both knowing who is on each side of the door. Anton shoots open the lock; Moss shoots a shell and then jumps out the window with the money.

Photo courtesy of rottentomatoes.com

Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) walks along a strip of motel rooms in search of the $2 million he will do anything for in “No Country for Old Men.” This pattern of hide-andseek is played out the entire movie. Since the characters are always on the screen by themselves, I found it hard to get to know them. All I know is one was running and fearless and the other could care less about what he had to do to get what he wanted. Anton believed in fate and that nothing was to be decided by him. He practiced his theory during the movie, using a coin-toss as an example. Everything ends up somewhere as fate. “It took this coin 25

years to get here, so call it,” Anton said when practicing his theory on a small gas station owner. The fact that he killed all of those people, according to him, was fate and had nothing to do with him. The back-and-forth thrills of this movie will leave you wanting more. However, sometimes the movie was dull and predictable. Anton’s lack of morals and killing spree became old to watch and the norm of the movie; it lost its touch. In the end, don’t be surprised if the movie does not satisfy your

need for justice. The movie was definitely suspenseful and fun to watch. It may not satisfy your mind-set for a happy-go-lucky ending, but it brings about thrills and gasps that will have you walking out of the theater with a sore jaw that has been clinched for two hours. “No Country for Old Men” ends positively and negatively stunning.

E-mail Snelson at: sas04b@acu.edu

‘Grey’s’ builds community at UP By Luke Sims Student Reporter

Student groups around campus offer various activities, including praying, studying and even watching prime time television. A group of students meet every Thursday to watch the popular TV show “Grey’s Anatomy.” Meg Shearon, a graduate student from Atlanta, is one of the founders of the group and has used the show to help bring different students together. As an RA at University Park Apartments, one of her tasks is to design an ongoing program for residents to help build community, and she chose meeting to watch “Grey’s.” “Some do ultimate Frisbee, some watch ‘The Office’, we chose ‘Grey’s’ Anatomy,” Shearon said. “The goal is

to bring students together, so why not start with something they already enjoy? If you enjoy sitting alone at night watching the show, why not enjoy it with people? That’s the idea.” The small group, which typically consists of two to six people, meets in the UP Lobby to enjoy the program. Amy Snyder, a graduate student from San Antonio and a founding member, said she enjoys the personal interaction the most. “It’s less about the show and more about creating bonds with others,” Snyder said. While most of the attendees are from UP’s building 9, one student from McMurry University comes to the event, as well as an off-campus student. As for the inspiration for the group, Shearon points

to her RA from last year. “The only reason I watch ‘Grey’s’ is because my favorite RA last year did it. To be honest, I think that’s the reason I keep watching it. When I’m done being an RA, I might not keep up with it,” Shearon said. While the group is small now, both Shearon and Snyder have hopes it will grow larger. “We’re always happy to have new people, and anything beats watching TV by yourself on a Thursday night,” Snyder said. The group can usually be found each Thursday at 8 p.m. in the UP Lobby or at Snyder and Shearon’s apartment. Contact a lobby attendant for details.

E-mail Sims at: optimist@acu.edu

CAMPUS NEWS

Friday, November 30, 2007

Page 5

Curfew and visitation policies under review By Pete Koehn Student Reporter

A female resident of Gardner Hall fell from a 3rd-floor window, attempting to sneak into the building after curfew earlier this month. At 2:05 a.m. on Nov. 6, the ACU Police Department received a call of a fallen student. At about 2:10 a.m., ACU Police arrived on the scene, met by the Abilene Fire Department and Me-

troCare, Abilene’s ambulance service. The young resident was found conscious after falling in the stairwell on the north side of the building. Because of the injury, the resident was taken to Hendrick Medical Center by ambulance. Jimmy Ellison, Chief of Police, says curfew issues are seen frequently, but usually the residence hall staff handles them. “On rare occasions

“People need to realize a curfew issue is not worth a broken neck or severe injury.” ACU Police Chief Jimmy Ellison

such as this, we have to become involved,” Ellison said. “People need to realize a curfew issue is not worth a broken neck or severe injury. It could have been tragic. Not damaging or dangerous, I mean tragic.”

As far as new policies regulating curfew checkin are concerned, Ellison said he is doubtful they would have any effect in situations like this. “No internal system you come up with will prevent a bonehead move

like trying to scale the side of a brick-wall building,” Ellison said. Although policies, including curfew and visitation are being examined, final decisions have not yet been made, said John Delony, director of Residence Life education and housing. Currently, check-in procedures and policies vary slightly from hall to hall, but Residence Life plans to add some uniformity. “We’re

working toward consistency in all processes across all halls,” Delony said. “I don’t even like the word curfew. It harkens back to when you were a kid. Changing the word is important,” Delony said. “It has way less to do with ACU trying to police behavior but more with drawing students back into community.”

E-mail Koehn at: optimist@acu.edu

Shared calendars ease organization

Donation station

By Lauren Hyde

Calendar Features

Student Reporter

Matt newhouser STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Kim Mullings, Hendrick Medical Center employee prepares April Schweikhard, senior English major from Tulsa, Okla., to donate blood during the blood drive on campus Wednesday.

Attraction adds to local holiday spirit By Katie Howerton Student Reporter

In its 17th year running, Christmas Lane is an annual event put on by the Volunteer Services for the Abilene State School to spread Christmas cheer throughout the Abilene Community. Located at the Abilene State School off Maple Street, Christmas Lane is close to a one-mile drive of more than 75 lighted Christmas displays set up by local businesses, churches and non-profit organizations in Abilene. There is even a display set up by ACU. According to Barbara Reid, the director of community relations for the Abilene State School, the drive takes around 20 to 40 minutes because the speed limit is 15 mph, and it takes a while to observe all the displays. “Christmas Lane is a

‘thank you’ to the public for supporting the residents of the School and is completely free of charge. We especially want college students to know that it is free,” Reid said. At the beginning of the drive, a sign will direct viewers to turn their radios to a specific station that will offer Christmas music for listening pleasure. Midway through, viewers can to stop at Quanna’s Winter Wonderland, an indoor facility that provides refreshments and an animated Christmas display that consists of penguins, reindeer and a miniature village set-up. There are also two phone booths available for children, or adults, to call the “North Pole Hotline” and tell the volunteers on the other end of the receivers what they want for Christmas. Although Christmas

Lane provides the community with convenient holiday fun, Christmas Lane wasn’t put together overnight. With more than 400 volunteers total, it takes around 17 to 20 volunteers a night to run the concession stand, answer the North Pole Hotline and dress up as Santa Clause and his helpers. Also, to make sure everything came together according to schedule, people behind the scenes began working to get ready for Christmas Lane in July. “It is a

big effort but a lot of fun when it comes down to it,” said Phyllis Conn from the Community Relations Department at the Abilene State School. Christmas Lane will be open from Dec. 6 until Christmas Eve. On these dates, the community will be allowed to drive through from 6-9 p.m. during the week and 6-10 p.m. on weekends.

E-mail Howerton at: optimist@acu.edu

Shared calendars by Google have given ACU faculty, staff and students a new way of organizing and planning their events. Shared calendars, a free feature offered through online calendar service Google Calendars, provides ACU employees and students a better means to organize their meetings on campus, schedule tests and coordinate plans. ACU began using shared calendars in early September. Proponents say the shared calendar benefits the ACU staff because the staff members with a shared calendar can electronically view other staff member’s schedules as well, providing a more efficient way to plan things designed for the work environment, said Joel Swedlund, the Campus Center manager. “It makes it easier to use the shared calendars, especially when trying to plan things around certain events, Swedlund said. “This can even be used for your everyday events outside of school, or outside of the workplace,” Swedlund said. Kristy Strickland, technology trainer of technology support and services at ACU, enjoys using shared calendars with her fellow staff members because she said she believes it saves time when trying to schedule something. “The advantage of the shared calendar is that sharing your own calendar with others and theirs with you makes your appointment

With Google Calendar, one can organize events and tasks more efficiently. Since launching, Google has expanded the list of features available. n View calenders from a mobile phone n Receive e-mail or text message reminders from a personal calendar n Share calendars with friends via e-mail n Format calendars for printing n Customize with events and icons from the Internet n Use 17 different languages n Publish calendars to share

creator a whole lot easier,” Strickland said. “It could take up to a whole day trying to get meetings together and searching for an empty spot.” Strickland said in order for the feature to succeed, everyone must keep their own calendar up to date, or the feature will not be beneficial to viewers. Another popular use among students is syncing their shared calendar to their cell phones for faster access to what is going on at school or with their own personal agenda. Students seem to think this is very useful, Strickland said. Google’s latest feature through Google Calender is its interface with the iPhone, which allows for touch-screen and color-coded calendars, according to the Web site.

E-mail Hyde at: optimist@acu.edu

ViewsFriday Optimist

Page 6

November 30, 2007

Don’t take the red and green out of Christmas The problem:

Citizens in Fort Collins, Colo., are trying to make Christmas politically correct by getting rid of red and green lights.

Our view:

By making Christmas into a “politically correct” holiday, the citizens of Fort Collins are stripping Christmas of its true meaning and making it a sterile, generic holiday.

The solution:

The holiday season is a time to celebrate. Focus on the truly important aspects of life and cherish those, instead of worrying about who’s getting offended by the manger scene in your yard.

In the true spirit of the holidays, citizens of Fort Collins, Colo., aimed to give residents the gift of political corrections — and sought to purge the city of its offensive traditional holiday red and green lights. The proposed move stemmed from the city’s Holiday Display Task Force’s recommendation, which clearly focused on the essentials during the cold months when many residents will likely go without shelter and a holiday meal. The task force sought to help Fort Collins residents relax and enjoy generic green garland and meaningless decorations without any pesky Christian overtones interrupting the secular holiday. “As far as I’m concerned, the group ended up in a very fair place in which primarily secular symbols will be used on city property,” task force member Saul Hopper told the city’s newspaper, the Coloradoan. The city council, however, did not support Hopper’s perspective. By a vote of 6-1, they rejected the force’s recommendations, sentencing Fort Collins to squander another Christmas season swathed in offensive lights and decorations. Fort Collins’ Oak Street Plaza displayed a Christmas tree in past years, but under the watchful eye of the task force, surely the Christmas tree will disappear with the red and green. The politically correct would relegate all religious components of the

holidays — including representations of Diwali, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and Christmas — to the Fort Collins Museum, the World Net Daily reported. This move would have the city free to harbor an array of snowmen, snowflakes, icicles and Santa Claus — presumably so long as he is not referred to as “Father Christmas” — in the public sphere. Thanks to the city council vote, such blatant religious displays will continue to leak into the public sector, but at least the city will also laud holiday tradition in less offensive ways within the museum walls, Fort Collins Now reported. Fort Collins’ task force has paved the path for other cities to follow in its sterile, politically correct Christmas, er, holiday — celebration. One can only hope that next year, the council will display greater reverence for the easily offended and keep religious holidays where they belong — in the dusty corners of museums. Abilene continues to display blatant disregard for such political correctness, offering such offensive traditions as the Abilene State School fundraiser Christmas Lane, gathering the community for the community Christmas tree lighting Nov. 27, and spurring discomfort with the Christmas lights parade. Let’s only hope a holiday display task force will soon form in Abilene and enlighten us, lest we offend with our green and red lights. E-mail the Optimist at: optimist@acu.edu

Putting other people’s needs first keeps life interesting Hell is other people. That was the opinion of French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, but I disagree. After thinking about it some, I believe livFeeling ing without other people Optimistic would be Denton much worse. Josey Recently in my Bible class, the professor told us to respond to a situation. He asked us to imagine living in the early 1400s and somehow wound up stranded on an island, alone, with no hope of being rescued. He said the island had shelter and plenty of food, so we would live for a long time. With that scenario, he asked us our thoughts. No one was super ex-

cited about the idea of living the rest of life alone on an island. Some folks even brought up suicide. I never decided what I would do, but the exercise got me thinking about why we live the way we do and what drives our decision-making. I’ve concluded we make most of our decisions in life because of other people. Like in the upcoming Will Smith movie, “I Am Legend,” where in the previews he’s the last guy on earth, I don’t think life would be fun alone. Being able to do whatever you want doesn’t sound as fun if you’re all alone; there’d be no one to laugh with or impress or share the fun with. Author Don Miller wrote about watching actor Tom Arnold as he was interviewed about his autobiography. The interviewer asked Arnold why he wrote the book, and he said something to the

Being able to do whatever you want doesn’t sound as fun if you’re all alone; there’d be no one to laugh with or impress or share the fun with.

effect of, “So other people will like me. That’s pretty much the reasoning behind all the things I do.” I sympathize with this line of thinking. However, it has its problems. Sometimes other people don’t care what you do or whether you did something for them; sometimes putting other people first can backfire. Recently I experienced some of the ‘backfire’ that comes with making decisions with other people in mind. A friend needed to borrow my car, so I let him. He called two hours later and began with this: “Hey man, I’m real sorry. Something crazy happened with your car. See, there was this 18-wheeler and…”

I had stopped breathing at this point, picturing my sad little car split in-two. “Just kidding, man. Your car is fine,” he said. I laughed that nervous laughter that only comes with the relief of a disaster averted. He then asked if he could borrow it for the rest of the night and I said sure. A little before midnight, my phone rang again. “OK, this time something actually happened,” he said. My friend picked up his friend in my car who proceeded to feel motion sickness and vomited in my car. Their solution was to roll down the windows, clean what they could see in the dark and Febreze the stench to death.

The cleaning job they did wasn’t quite complete. For starters, my driver’s window isn’t supposed to roll down because it doesn’t roll up, so I’m stuck with that just in time for cold weather. Second, they missed some spots on the seat, so it smells bad and the orange spots on the upholstery stick out pretty obviously. Third, they didn’t clean the passenger side window, so when I roll it up it looks like the inside of a bachelor’s microwave crossed with a paintball splatter. So these days I drive in my car with the windows down. I’ll clean it eventually, but this is the time of year where homework takes priority over things like cleanliness. It was bad enough driving around with no heat, as my car has many missing features, but now I experience a refreshing ride to school in the mornings

and try to thaw out when I get to class. I have other stories about helping people and paying for it (I literally paid for it this summer — I offered to carry something for someone and broke it, so I had to buy a new one) as I’m sure we all do. But I contend it is worth it to help people. The guys who borrowed my car? They are awesome, and I’d let them have it again if they asked. (They’d just have to put up with the smell inside and the windows down.) Hell is not other people. I really don’t know what hell is like, but I know people are what make life great. So when life splatters orange vomit on your car, Febreze it to death and move on ‘cause people are worth it, every time.

E-mail Josey at: jdj03e@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu

FDA should increase American awareness of celiac disease If you were to poll an audience made up of average Americans and ask them what celiac disease is, not too many would know. But it’s a disease that Work in increasingly Progress affects more and more of Rachel the world’s Davis population, and a disease that no one seems to care about. People with celiac disease — a group I became a part of about two years ago

— are incapable of digesting gluten, an ingredient in wheat, barley, rye and oats. Symptoms range from severe to mild, depending on how serious one’s gluten intolerance is. Gluten is a hidden ingredient in several food items people don’t know about because the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t require companies to list gluten as an ingredient. Yet celiac disease affects at least three million Americans, and doctors estimate many more Americans are going undiagnosed. To put that figure into perspective, American celiacs could fill 4,400 Boeing 747 airplanes.

Why does the FDA continue to ignore this disease and force celiacs to fruitlessly search in the grocery store aisles for things they can eat? So why does the FDA continue to ignore this disease and force celiacs to fruitlessly search in the grocery store aisles for things they can eat? The FDA passed a law in 2006 requiring food labels to clearly list any ingredients that come from the eight main food allergens but barely addressed gluten and decided to say they would allow food labels to voluntarily use the term “gluten-free” on labels.

Wow, thanks for the effort, it’s definitely appreciated. Gluten is an ingredient in many common products, including soda; and salad dressings and most overthe-counter medications use it as filler, thus preventing celiacs from seeking relief from headaches and other allergy symptoms. If you ever see someone in the cold and flu aisle at WalMart perusing every single medication on the shelf, I can just about guarantee

you he or she is a celiac. Most refer to the disease as a “wheat allergy” because saying you have celiac disease just produces a room full of confused looks. Trying to balance a gluten-free diet with being in college may be one of the most difficult things one has to go through. Giving up pizza, hamburgers and bread that actually tastes good — well, let’s just say it hasn’t been an easy road to travel. Going out to eat is always an adventure and sometimes a gamble for me — most waiters give me a blank stare when I ask if something is gluten-free.

Editorial and letter policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration. Signed columns, cartoons and letters are the opinions of their creators and may not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the Optimist or the university. The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors or to refuse to print letters containing personal

attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous information or invasion of privacy. Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published. Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu

And those church potlucks, well, I’ve pretty much stopped going. I constantly have to worry about accidentally ingesting gluten and having an allergic reaction. So, I’ll just continue to wish that the FDA decides to recognize how much of a problem celiac disease and gluten intolerance are in America. Until then, I’ll have to keep reserving my Saturday afternoons so I can search every single food label’s ingredient list at the grocery store.

E-mail Davis at: red04a@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu

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FROM THE FRONT

Friday, November 30, 2007

Page 7

Wage: Students anticipate minimum wage increase Continued from page 1 Fort Worth, works for Best Buy and Geek Squad at the Abilene Mall. Like McCormack, he switched jobs in order to make more money. Now he gets paid more than twice as much as he did when he worked for McDonald’s. But he said that if he was still with McDonald’s, he would be grateful for the recent minimum wage increase. “If I was still working at McDonald’s like my first job, I would definitely appreciate it,” Black said. “You’re just constantly talking to people, trying to get orders out as fast as possible. You’re trying to learn new systems. Going into the kid’s room, and there’s ketchup and mustard all over the floor, and you have to clean it all up; It’s horrible. I would be happy to get seven dollars to do that.” The sentiment among students is wide-spread. Wendy Jones, assistant director of human resources, said that human resources received many e-mail responses to the news of the increased wages. “Students are happy,” Jones said. “We realize that for many of us, but especially at the student level, going from $5.15 to $5.85 could be a significant difference on how much your paycheck is. I think it’s a positive thing.” However, not every student on campus will have the opportunity to benefit from the increase. Bradon Tharp, an employer relations specialist in the Office of Career and Academic Development, cites that all on-campus jobs, minimum wage or not, are in demand. “In general, there are more students applying than there are jobs available

“Industries that have a lot more employees that they pay closer to minimum wage are the areas that are struggling. It’s still a challenge. But I think it’s not as difficult for us to manage.” Wendy Jones, assistant director of human resources

on-campus,” Tharp said. Tharp is also the assistant administrator of ACU CareerLink, a student service that provides information about local and on-campus jobs and counsels students on job interviews and résumés. In addition, the Office of Career and Academic Development promotes job fairs that are held in the Abilene Civic Center. This year, a new online fair called the ACU Virtual Job Fair gave yet another opportunity for students to find jobs. On the Nov. 8, 2006 payroll, there were 810 student employees with on-campus jobs. One year later, the number dropped to 759 students. Although the numbers can fluctuate significantly from month to month, the ACU administration is still preparing for potential cutbacks in the employment of students oncampus due to the increase in the minimum wage. Jones along with Kelly Young, ACU’s chief financial officer, worked together to communicate the changes in the minimum wage to the university. In response, ACU has raised the minimum wage to the appropriate level for student workers and is currently managing departmental funds and planning for the pay increases within the coming years. “We think the biggest impact is going to come in year two and specifically in year three,” Jones said. Tharp and Jones both

agree that there have not been major changes to any payroll processes due to the recent $.70 minimum wage increase, but that future increases are reasons for concern. ACU Payroll is already researching on how the increases will affect the university. “I think a lot of people express concern when minimum wage goes up because they think there’s a direct correlation in just the cost of living,” Jones said. “I know they feel like they can never get ahead.” But Jones believes small businesses will be more greatly affected by the wage increases than the university. “Industries that have a lot more employees that they pay closer to minimum wage are the areas that are struggling,” Jones said. “It’s still a challenge. But I think it’s not as difficult for us to manage as the other different types of industries or businesses.” Nevertheless, ACU will still have to cope with the new minimum wage and attempt to provide enough jobs to accommodate students. So far the university has done a good job based on the satisfaction of students such as McCormack. “I really appreciate having the position here. It’s more convenient,” McCormack said. “Working on campus is where it’s at.”

Katie gager CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER E-mail Freeman at: mxf04a@acu.edu

Jessica Rodriguez, junior education major from Kyle, flips through papers in the Student Success Office. Rodriguez is among student workers who will benefit from a minimum wage increase.

Hunter: Money says Core: Cornerstone course tweaked love directs Hunter Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1 the award to Hunter. During the speech Money said: “Bob’s source of influence was love — the love he had for his colleagues and the love they had for him. On the floor of the House, Bob was free with his support, his advice and his respect. He set a standard that placed his constituents first in every policy decision he made. His colleagues knew that even when he disagreed with them, they had his enthusiastic personal devotion. And they returned

that devotion in ways that led them to support the cause he supported.” Hunter has been devoted to helping others for many years; he has put in hard work to helping students attend a university such as ACU. “I am deeply grateful and moved by receiving this award. I mean I have worked since 1969 for it,” said Hunter.

E-mail Snelson at: sas04b@acu.edu

co-chair, and she believes the faculty senate will work well to make needed recommendations for the new core. “I’ve been in on the discussion on the possibility of the Liberal Arts Core for several years. The College of Arts and Sciences will have a major role to play, and I’m excited about being a part of continuing this,” Durrington said. The implementation team members will work with their departments to see what roles they should play in the proposed integrated courses, classes taught by several professors from different areas

“We need to do a better job of teaching students to think critically and globally, and I believe the new core will help us do that.” Dr. Colleen Durrington, former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

Core Curriculum implementation Team

The Faculty Senate selected team members earlier this month. The team’s work is underway. n Co-chairs: Colleen Durrington and Charles Mattis

of study; they will decide how credits will transfer; they will observe and make recommendations concerning the cultural competency requirements associated with students’ foreign language credits; and they will continue tweaking the Cornerstone course, a required course for freshmen that will be implemented in the future. “I think as we have looked at the core curriculum over

the years and have surveyed students and faculty, we need to do a better job of teaching students to think critically and globally, and I believe the new core will help us do that. Our programs will be stronger,” Durrington said.

E-mail Sutton at: les03c@acu.edu

n n n n n n n n n n n n n n

Neal Coates Kristina Campos-Wallace Deb Williams Greg Straughn Paul Morris Tom Lee Stephen Johnson Wendell Willis Ronnie McQueen Nicki Rippee David Perkins Dwayne Towell Sharon Souter Mark McCallon

SportsFriday Optimist

Page 8

ScoreBoard Standings Scoreboard as of Thursday

Men’s Basketball

Team

Tarleton St. ACU TAMU-K Angelo St. WTAMU ENMU MSU

Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Overall 5-0 4-0 4-0 3-1 5-2 2-3 1-4

Women’s Basketball

Team

Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 MSU 0-0 TX Woman’s 0-0 ENMU 0-0 Tarleton St. Angelo St. WTAMU TAMU-K ACU

Overall 3-0 3-2 3-2 3-3 2-3 1-3 1-3 1-4

Scores Tuesday

November 30, 2007

Waterball postponed until spring semester By Chandler Harris Student Reporter

The intramural waterball tournament schedule for this weekend was canceled on Wednesday. “We have decided to cancel the waterball tournament in order to focus on finishing the softball season,” said Susan Hardcastle, administrative coordinator of intramural sports. “We will have a waterball season in the spring instead.”

Intramurals The men of Frater Sodalis are the defending waterball men’s champions and Tyler Parrish, senior criminal justice major from Arlington, has played on Frat 1 for the past two seasons. “We went in on Saturdays and practiced a couple of times in preparation for this weekend and were really excited about the tournament,” Parrish said. “I knew a lot of alumni who were go-

ing to come in this weekend and watch us play. The sudden cancellation ruins their plans now.” Despite the cancellation, Parrish is optimistic about the spring season. “We should have our whole team back next semester,” Parrish said. This cancellation allows for the softball season to be the main focus for intramural teams the rest of the semester. Brent Medford, sophomore

mathematics major from The Woodlands, is disappointed that the tournament will not be played this weekend. “I was really looking forward to the waterball tournament, because I had never played before,” Medford said. “Despite this, I am glad that I can now focus on my softball season with Team Dunder Mifflin and gear up for our bid to win another championship.”

Social club points Men’s social clubs n Galaxy 85 n Gamma Sigma Phi 85 n Frater Sodalis 0 n Sub-T 0

Women’s social clubs n Sigma Theta Chi 65 n Ko Jo Kai 50 n Delta Theta 35 n Alpha Kai 20 n Gata 0

E-mail Harris at: optimist@acu.edu

Wildcats down RiverHawks ACU women win second straight game

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ACU 71, Incarnate Word 67

By Michael Freeman Assistant Sports Editor

Thursday WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ACU 56, Northeastern State 46

MEN’S BASKETBALL ACU 77, Northeastern State 56

Upcoming Saturday WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ACU vs. Central Oklahoma, 2 p.m.

MEN’S BASKETBALL ACU vs. Central Oklahoma, 4 p.m. n Home games listed in italics

On the Web www.acuoptimist.com

Four-peat n See a video about senior cross country Nicodemus Naimadu setting an NCAA record by winning four-straight individual Division II cross country championships.

Briefs Seven Wildcats named to all-Southwest Region teams n The Wildcat football team had seven players named to Division II all-Southwest Region teams. First team selections were junior running back Bernard Scott, junior wide receiver Johnny Knox, junior center Sam Collins, senior Collins offensive guard Nathan Young and senior middle linebacker Cody Stutts. Junior quarterback Billy Malone and junior placekicker Matt Adams were named to the all-region second team.

The Wildcats were able to pick up their second win of the season Thursday by beating Lone Star Conference foe Northeastern State 56-46 in Moody Coliseum. With the win, ACU improved to 2-3 on the season, while Northeastern State dropped to 2-4. “I felt like we really made them work hard offensively,” said head coach Shawna Lavender. “Defense was really the big key for us.” Northeastern State led by two points 37 seconds into the game, but the RiverHawks never saw the lead again as the Wildcats shot 42.3 percent from the field in the first half. ACU went into halftime up 30-18 on Northeastern State. The Wildcats kept their comfortable lead throughout the second half until 1:53 left when the RiverHawks cut the score to 51-46. But clutch free throws from guard Alex Guiton, forward Kristee Davidson and center Audrey Maxwell gave the Wildcats the ten-point win. “We never lost our confidence no matter what,” Davidson said. “We were definitely determined to win this game.” Davidson and Maxwell led ACU with 13 points each. Maxwell also grabbed seven rebounds and swatted away five RiverHawk shots. Forward Jamie Meyer finished the game with nine points and seven rebounds, while forward Jody Meyer ended with eight points and 10 rebounds. “It really was a team effort,” Davidson said. “The last few games, we’ve had one or two people step up. This time, every single person stepped up and played great.”

MATT NEWHOUSER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

ACU forward Jody Meyer shoots over Northeastern State center Erin Kent during the second half of ACU’s 56-46 win on Thursday.

Women’s basketball ACU 56, NSU 46 On Tuesday, Maxwell put up a double-double performance with 39 points and 16 rebounds in the team’s first win of the season against Incarnate Word. The 71-67 vic-

we had some bad luck,” Lavender said. “I think it shows a lot of character from these girls winning our last two.” Next up for the women’s basketball team is the team that knocked the Wildcats out of the playoffs last year: Central Oklahoma. ACU will aim to take down the Lady Bron-

chos this Saturday at 2 p.m. in Moody Coliseum. “Central puts a lot of points up on the board,” Lavender said. “Defense is going to be the key for us again. It should be a good game.”

E-mail Freeman at: mxf04bt@acu.edu

Men maintain unbeaten record in first LSC matchup By Rachel Davis Opinion Editor

Intramural Round-up WATERBALL The intramural waterball tournament scheduled for Friday and Saturday was canceled. A waterball season will be played in the spring semester.

For complete intramural scores and schedules visit: w w w. a c u o p t i m i s t . c o m

tory was payback for ACU losing to Incarnate Word 5951 on Nov 16. Guiton helped the Wildcats’ cause with 13 points and six rebounds. Guard Kelsey Darby also finished with nine points, six rebounds and a game-high five assists. “In the first three games,

TODD Piersall STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

ACU guard Corwin Ragland drives past Northeastern State guard Aaron Arango during ACU’s 77-56 win over the RiverHawks on Thursday.

The Wildcats fought to win their first Lone Star Conference crossover game against the 2-4 Northeastern State University RiverHawks, 77-56, Thursday night to continue their undefeated season at 4-0. “I was proud, we beat a very well-coached team,” head coach Jason Copeland said. “They gave us fits in the first half, but our guys kept grinding and fighting and made me proud. We pulled it out and it was great.” The first six minutes of the game were a defensive battle, and ACU held the RiverHawks to no points during the first four minutes of the game. “Those first six minutes, we did a great job defending,” Copeland said. The Cats’ defense held Northeastern State to just 18 points in the first half, but in the second half allowed them

Men’s Basketball ACU 77, NSU 56 to put 38 points on the board. The defense allowed only two three-point shots in the first half, but allowed eight three-pointers in the second half. “That’s our main problem,” said senior guard Stephen Musa. “We’ve played four games and we always have that problem with defense in the second half, we really need to work on that.” Copeland agreed and said he thought the defense could have done a better job in the second half. “The defense got a little relaxed, and that’s never good,” Copeland said. “They let themselves fall apart a little bit; we’ll need to keep working on that.” Copeland said overall, the offense performed extremely well and after this game, he feels pretty confident about

conference play. “Northeastern’s been allowing about 52 points a game so far,” Copeland said. “To score 77 points on them is great. It shows we’re getting more solid play out of our offense.” Musa said he believes after this game conference play should go well. “We’re just getting ourselves together,” Musa said. “We did some good things tonight on the court and with the ball. We’ve got good guards and that’s going to help us out later on in the season.” The team was 9-19 in its 3-point attempts and allowed the score to be tied twice. ACU gave up the lead with 11:29 left in the first half but fought back and regained the lead with 7:51 left, and held on to the lead for the rest of the game. ACU returns to action Saturday against Central Oklahoma. E-mail Davis at: red04a@acu.edu

SportsFriday Optimist

Page 8

ScoreBoard Standings Scoreboard as of Thursday

Men’s Basketball

Team

Tarleton St. ACU TAMU-K Angelo St. WTAMU ENMU MSU

Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Overall 5-0 4-0 4-0 3-1 5-2 2-3 1-4

Women’s Basketball

Team

Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 MSU 0-0 TX Woman’s 0-0 ENMU 0-0 Tarleton St. Angelo St. WTAMU TAMU-K ACU

Overall 3-0 3-2 3-2 3-3 2-3 1-3 1-3 1-4

Scores Tuesday

November 30, 2007

Waterball postponed until spring semester By Chandler Harris Student Reporter

Social club points Men’s social clubs n Galaxy 85 n Gamma Sigma Phi 85 n Frater Sodalis 0 n Sub-T 0

Women’s social clubs n Sigma Theta Chi 65 n Ko Jo Kai 50 n Delta Theta 35 n Alpha Kai 20 n Gata 0

E-mail Harris at: optimist@acu.edu

Wildcats down RiverHawks ACU women win second straight game

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ACU 71, Incarnate Word 67

By Michael Freeman Assistant Sports Editor

Thursday WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ACU 56, Northeastern State 46

MEN’S BASKETBALL ACU 77, Northeastern State 56

Upcoming Saturday WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ACU vs. Central Oklahoma, 2 p.m.

MEN’S BASKETBALL ACU vs. Central Oklahoma, 4 p.m. n Home games listed in italics

On the Web www.acuoptimist.com

Four-peat n See a video about senior cross country Nicodemus Naimadu setting an NCAA record by winning four-straight individual Division II cross country championships.

MATT NEWHOUSER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

ACU forward Jody Meyer shoots over Northeastern State center Erin Kent during the second half of ACU’s 56-46 win on Thursday.

chos this Saturday at 2 p.m. in Moody Coliseum. “Central puts a lot of points up on the board,” Lavender said. “Defense is going to be the key for us again. It should be a good game.”

E-mail Freeman at: mxf04bt@acu.edu

Men maintain unbeaten record in first LSC matchup By Rachel Davis Opinion Editor

Intramural Round-up WATERBALL The intramural waterball tournament scheduled for Friday and Saturday was canceled. A waterball season will be played in the spring semester.

For complete intramural scores and schedules visit: w w w. a c u o p t i m i s t . c o m

TODD Piersall STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

ACU guard Corwin Ragland drives past Northeastern State guard Aaron Arango during ACU’s 77-56 win over the RiverHawks on Thursday.