Priddy Fellows
eyes snoop at the Sheraton NEWS: Private Page 2 Guard enjoys playing under pressure SPORTS: Page 5 UNT dietician gives healthy tips for March VIEWS: Page 6
Arts advocacy program comes to an end Page 4
Thursday, March 11, 2010
News 1,2 Arts & Life 3,4 Sports 5,8 Views 6 Classifieds 7 Games 7
Volume 95 | Issue 31
Sunny 66° / 44°
ntdaily.com
The Student Newspaper of the University of North Texas
Celebration Station
UNT to phase out construction classes BY LISA GARZA
“He didn’t really give us a reason behind why they are Students enrolled in t he getting rid of the program,” con st r uc t ion eng i neer i ng Bartlow said. “We’re trying t e c h nolo g y pr o g r a m a r e to see what we can do to get pleading w it h school of f i- it turned around.” Bartlow said he is not giving cials who are nearing a decision that would terminate the up, although the window of opportunity is closing. program. “The dean said there is still This semester 130 students a re enrolled in t he under- a chance, but it doesn’t seem graduate program that is set like there is a lot of hope,” to seek accreditation from he said. Joel Bolz, a senior and presthe Technology Accreditation Commission of A BET, Inc. ident of the student chapter in t he fa ll. A BET, Inc. is a of Nat iona l Associat ion of company that accredits engi- Homebuilders, also met with neering programs at colleges Tsatsoulis. “The way a nd u n iversit he dean ties. presented it “We are … was that trying to idenwe were all t if y prog ra ms going to be t h a t a r e not OK, but i n centra l to t he rea l it y, it’s mission of not going to t he College of be OK when Engineering and which —Costas Tsatsoulis w e s t a r t will have Dean of the College look ing for jobs,” Bol z l it t le c h a nc e of Engineering s a id . “T he of assist ing sacrifices UNT to reach that my wife n a t i o n a l research university status,” has made for me to go back said Costas Tsatsoulis, dean to school ma kes this more of the College of Engineering. upsetting.” Bol z has reached out to “It’s not unusual for universities to start and phase out constr uction professiona ls in the Dallas area who have programs.” Tsatsoulis cited UNT’s goal said the program is essential of attaining Tier One status as to the success of the industry the main reason the college is to contact school off icia ls, expected to make a contribu- he said. Bob Morris, executive vicetion by producing research expenditures and students president of the Home Builders who earn doctorates. He said Association of Greater Dallas, he will present the proposal wrote a letter to Chancellor for the program to be termi- L ee Jack son a nd P rovost nated to university officials Wendy Wilkins in support of the program. Thursday. “My knowledge, of course, A decision w ill be made is not of someone who is on within the next few weeks. “The current students will campus, but I know a number be able to cont i nue t hei r of the students and some of course of study and we will the faculty, and the program go out for accreditation next that is being taught there has [academic] year,” Tsatsoulis real value,” Morris said. “The sa id. “It w i l l be t he sa me quality and commitment of whether or not the program the students is ver y strong there.” is phased out.” Jacob Ba r t low, a sen ior in the program, and several See STUDENTS on Page 2 ot her st udent s sa id t he y To read the Daily’s spoke w it h Tsat sou l is on editorial on this Wednesday morning to get issue, see Page 6 some answers. Senior Staff Writer
“It’s not unusual for universities to start and phase out programs.”
PHOTO BY RYAN BIBB/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Junior forward rebounds a missed shot against Troy in Tuesday’s Sun Belt Conference Championship game. The Mean Green won the Sun Belt Tournament for the second time, earning the program’s third trip to the NCAA Tournament. UNT last went to the tournament in 2007 when it lost in the first round to Memphis.
See photos more from the championship game on Page 8
UNT community celebrates 62nd annual UnionFest BY BRIANNE TOLJ
Contributing Writer Color f u l ba l loon s a nd streamers glittered throughout the University Union during the 62nd Annual UnionFest on Wednesday. Students weaved through the bright decorations and crowds, visiting numerous tables offering free food, drinks and games and prizes. The celebration filled the lower floors of the Union from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., inviting students to enjoy a variety of activities between classes. “This is just another way we want to say thank you for using the Union and coming to our programs and letting us put on these services,” Stefanie Ritz, Union marketing coordinator, said. “Part of our mission is that we’re here for the students.” The Union sta f f hosted the event, bringing all of the Union’s various resources and services together. The estimated 18,000 to 19,000 students passing through
the Union were presented with free food such as popcorn, chocolate and vegetables, and companies like Monster and Coke were invited to hand out drinks. Activities Students had their choice of activities, such as having their faces painted or posing for a cartoonist with friends. They could also have their favorite animal made into balloon art and participate in a novelty giveaway. “It’s a nice opportunity for college students,” said Cali Cooper, a fashion design sophomore, while browsing tables with friends. UnionFest was great entertainment for students, said Stefanie Turner, a history senior and event worker. “It’s a great way just to open the entire Union for a lot of students,” Turner said. “It’s an opportunity to meet other students and get some free food.”
Cake Ceremony In the center of the Union Courtyard sat a 12-by-12 foot white ca ke t r immed w it h green. The school-spirited cake, created by vendor Ben E. Keith, was large enough to feed 2,000 people. The cake was served after a Cake Ceremony at 2 p.m., but students were waiting in line for a piece as early as 1:30 p.m. Before the ceremony, Tom Rufer, assistant vice president for auxiliar y services, thanked the UNT community that came to the Union every day. After Rufer’s brief speech, “happy anniversary” rang out from the crowd and the cake cutting began. Community The Union is the community center of the campus, Design Works manager Carol Wilkinson Ritz said.
PHOTO BY AUGUSTA LIDDIC/PHOTOGRAPHER
Aleena Spotswood, a chemistry senior, looks at her face painting done by Susan McNeely at the 62nd Annual UnionFest See UNION on Page 3 Wednesday.