Arts:
Sports:
Meadows, Prado museums create partnership to feature Spanish art
Two SMU gridiron stars receive preseason honors
Page 5
Page 6
VOLUME 96, ISSUE 2 SMUDAILYCAMPUS.COM
Weather
DALLAS, TEXAS
TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 2010 FIRST COPY FREE, ADDITIONAL COPIES 50 CENTS
BIG IDEAS
AARO
Campus welcomes Class of 2014
TODAY High 98, Low 76 TOMORROW High 94, Low 71
NEWS BRIEFS
SMU launches art history PhD program SMU plans to begin an art history PhD program in the Spring of 2011. Dr. Roberto Tejeda will join the faculty as the new chair of the program. Tejeda comes to SMU from the University of Texas and is a wellrespected specialist in modern and contemporary Latin American and Latino/U.S. visual culture. The program will be separated into two concentrations: one geographic, covering Latin America, Iberia and the Americas; and the other mediabased, focusing on technologies of visual communication. The new program was made possible by an anonymous $2 million contribution.
Summer Senate funds $5,405 to several organizations The SMU Student Senate funded LULAC $1,404 for the group to send four students to their national convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico in July. LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) will be using the money to pay for convention registration fees. Sigma Lambda Gamma received $1,110 in funding to attend their national convention n San Antonio, Texas in July. The sorority is required to send two members. Senate funded itself $1,430 so that the three Student Body Officers could go to convention. They funded ALPFA $450 to pay for their national convention at the end of July. The funding will cover the registration fees for three students. Sigma Lambda Beta received $1,011 to go to their national convention which will take place in July in San Antonio, Texas. Student Senate has $25,000 to fund during their three summer meetings. These actions leave $19,595 to be distributed at their last two meetings to take place on July 11 and August 8.
ONLINE POLL What do you think of the Obama administration’s response to the Gulf oil spill? Approve: 37% Disapprove: 54% No Opinion: 10% The results of this poll are not scientific and reflect only the views of those who voted online. To take part infuture polls, go to smudailycampus. com
Contact Us Newsroom: 214.768.4555 Classified: 214.768.4554 Online: smudailycampus.com
Index News . . . . . . . . . . . . Arts & Entertainment . Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . Opinion . . . . . . . . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. 2,3,4 . . . .5 . . 6,7 . . . .8
By GLORIA SALINAS News Editor gosalinas@smu.edu
“They don’t have any rights except for education,” Hannah said. She explained that the documentary will present the issue without politics, and she hopes this will engage people who would typically not be open to discussion due to their political beliefs. “At the end of the day, they may have their degree but they can’t do anything with it,” BurgosSoto said. While “Boxed In” targets a specific group in Dallas, Rebecca Quinn and Drake “Drew” Konow’s project includes a broad range of socioeconomic
Academic Advising Registration and Orientation is underway at SMU, events for first-year and incoming transfer students kick off June 29 and conclude August 17. According to SMU’s Office of New Student Orientation and Student Support, the university will welcome more than 1,400 first-year students and 300 transfer students from 39 countries this fall. The class of 2014 is 53 percent female and 47 percent male, and 54 percent of SMU’s incoming class is from out of state, with native Texans in the minority at 46 percent. Welcoming the class of 2014 are 15 student leaders and directors who have dedicated their summer to showing the class of 2014 the ropes at SMU. SMU senior Katie Castellucci, Mustang Corral director, joined AARO “to provide a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all of the incoming students.” She hopes to make the new students comfortable in a new environment. “I wanted to make Mustang Corral a memorable experience for all the incoming students,” Castellucci said. “I, myself, hope to gain a better Mustang Corral experience, and hope that the incoming students will feel welcomed at SMU.” Joining Castellucci as a Mustang
See BIG IDEAS on Page 3
See AARO on Page 3
ELENA HARDING/The Daily Campus
SMU students Daniela Balderas, from left, Erik Burgos-Soto and Leticia Tudón plan their documentary, “Boxed In.” The filmmakers started the Big iDeas project on May 18th
Students make dreams reality around Dallas By ELENA HARDING Features Editor eharding@smu.edu
When Provost Paul Ludden came to SMU three years ago he initiated Big iDeas, a program for undergraduate research. Each year the provostfunded program gives 10 groups of students up to $5,000 each for projects that address issues in the Dallas area. “One of the great things about this program is that students learn how to take an idea and develop it,” Ludden said. This summer, many of the students are busy
with their projects. The issues addressed range from health literacy to socioeconomic and ethnic segregation in Dallas. One of these groups is making a film about the 65,000 undocumented students who graduate from high school every year in the United States. Daniela Balderas, Erik Burgos-Soto, Leticia Tudón and Nyddia Hannah joined efforts to create the film “Boxed In.” It will concentrate on the challenges local undocumented college students face as they prepare to graduate. Hannah said some of these difficulties are avoidable, and the current system creates people who are unable to give back and become productive after college.
UNIVERSITY PARK
Proposal could curb neighborhood parking By GLORIA SALINAS News Editor gosalinas@smu.edu
If University Park residents like Max Hugely have their way, SMU students will be taken off the streets. A new parking proposal is in discussion by the UP City Council, and if it is approved, the west and east sides of the SMU campus will be off limits for student parking. The proposal, which calls for the creation of new residential parking districts, was discussed by officials at the last city council meeting, June 15, Police Chief Gary Adams said the costs incurred from the new parking districts for items such as signage and additional parking enforcement officers, would be between $35,000 and $40,000. Hugely, who resides two blocks north of the SMU campus, is not included in the new parking district. He voiced his concerns and those of his neighbors at the meeting. “My neighbors and I, a lot of them, several of them were alarmed that we were not included in this area [the new parking districts],” Hugely said. “We already have issues with students parking on our streets and particularly during football games and campus events.” SMU Park ’N Pony Director Mark Rhodes said parking in residential neighborhoods is a historical issue for UP residents, SMU faculty and students. Rhodes empathizes with
Illustration from dallasnews.com
The above map shows the proposed boundaries for University Park’s residential parking districts on the east and northwest sides of the SMU campus.
residents and said the university has made progress in the parking issue by spending a considerable amount of resources to add five new parking garages. He said the issue is not the availability of parking spaces because there are spaces available; but rather the convenience and proximity of spaces to the campus. “There is a four-hour window between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2
p.m. when the bulk of our students attend classes and when parking is hard to find in close proximity to Dallas Hall or Umphrey Lee,” Rhodes said. “Students don’t like 8 a.m. or 4 p.m. classes, and that’s when our lots our empty.” Rhodes feels that there are two solutions to the problem – modify drivers’ behaviors or spend a considerable amount of resources trying to clear land in a tight city to
build parking garages. “We can spread out classes and stretch out the academic day so that students are not all trying to park at once or build for a four hour window capacity that becomes a waste of space and land and incurs cost on maintenance and electricity,” he said. Jim Elliott, UP resident who resides on Rosedale opposes the proposed parking districts because he feels the growth of SMU will push the parking
issue further out to residents like Hugely who are not included in the districts. “I oppose it because it really shifts the burden to the city and the city’s residents to take care of a problem they didn’t create,” Elliott said. Both Rhodes and city officials know that UP is the only city with a university in it that does not have reserved parking districts for residents. The council acknowledged the university’s efforts and progress towards providing faculty and student parking areas, but motioned to discuss the topic again at their July 6 meeting. If the plan moves forward, residents will be notified of in writing for a chance to respond before officials vote. Residents not parked in a garage or driveway will also pay the price— under the proposed plan as it requires homeowners and their guests to purchase permits to park on the streets. Residents who want to park in the street would pay $20 for their first permit and $15 for a second permit. The permit would be effective yearround Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. until 5 p.m. Vehicles without the proper permit displayed during that time would receive a citation from police and could incur fines. Visitors or vendors visiting homeowners would not pay a fee, but residents would be required to pick up guest permits from the city.
2
• Tuesday, June 29, 2010
News
The Daily Campus
Future of engineering By GLORIA SALINAS News Editor gosalinas@smu.edu
For three weeks in June, 200 middle and high school girls are exposed to the ins and outs of the engineering world through a summer camp. For three weeks in June, the SMU Lyle School of Engineering hosts 200 middle and high school girls from for its annual Engineering Camp for Girls. The week-long program hosted by SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering purpose is to peak their interest in the engineering arena. Some girls in attendance are from Dallas area schools and others have come as far away as Maryland. The girls’ summer camp was created through SMU Lyle’s Gender Parity Initiative, which adresses the short supply of American engineers, Lindsay Paramore/SMU Daily Campus
A group of middle school students takes a break from working during the Lyle School of Engineering’s summertime Camp For Girls last Thursday.
aiming to fill the shortage with women. The Initiative’s goal is to achieve a balance of women and men in engineering classrooms and in the field. Don Ruggles, engineering academy director at Hightower High School in Houston, Texas, teaches the girls various hands-on activities at the camp, like constructing bridges out of newspaper, testing the strength of their structure and building speakers out of Styrofoam bowls. “Our goal is to inform them about engineering and the characteristics of what makes a good engineer,” Ruggles said. “The second, third and fourth days of the camp we practice handson engineering techniques.” Every Wednesday the morning and afternoon, classes of the camp are merged for a discussion with
Texas Instruments women engineers about closing the diversity gap among women in the engineering field. Sixteen-year-old Jasmine Blake of Maryland became involved in the camp with guidance from her female cousin, who is an engineer at TI and spoke at the camp. Blake attends McKinley Technology High School in Maryland and joined the camp to learn more about her future career. “At the moment, I would like to study bio medicine and be a brain surgeon,” Blake said. “But I would like to see if this camp will teach me more about engineering, and I may change my mind.” Seventeen-year-old Angelica Gordon of Desoto High School signed up for the summer camp online because her counselor told her that enrichment programs look good
See CAMP on Page 3
Engineering sets record By PRAVEEN SATHIANATHAN Chief Copy Editor psathianat@smu.edu
In January, Geoffrey Orsak, dean of the Lyle School of Engineering, announced the school had received more than 1,000 applicants for its fall class — a record number. As interest grows in SMU’s engineering programs the school and its donors have risen to meet the challenge. The Lyle School’s new Caruth Hall will help students further their engineering education while broadening their leadership skills. Caruth will also act as an outreach center for the Lyle School. The Hillcrest Foundation Amphitheater unites both wings of the building. According to Jay Meister, senior
project manager from the Office of Planning, Design and Construction, the amphitheater “will be a major social space for events and functions for the university community,” and that Caruth Hall was constructed with “the student in mind.” “The building has a very open feel and gives an atmosphere intended to foster student interactions and dialogue with their peers,” he said. Meister said the building, which is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design gold certified, a measure of green building standards, also features elements that can only be found here at SMU. “It incorporates a state-of-the-art conference room,” he said. “This room is the only space on campus that allows students to practice presentations in a conference room and receive direct
feedback on their performance.” The building sits on the site of the original Caruth Hall, which was home to SMU engineering for 60 years, and several design elements from the original building are incorporated into the new building. The four lanterns that hang in the amphitheater were used to light up the entrances in the original building. Also, the Legacy Lounge incorporates bricks from the original exterior and other materials used on the original east entrance into its design. Orsak said the new Caruth Hall, at more than 64,000 ft, is one of the most ambitious teaching and learning facilities at SMU.
See CARUTH page 4
Michael Danser/SMU Daily Campus
Caruth Hall is the second Lyle Engineering building on campus to be built to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold standards.
News
The Daily Campus
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 •
AARO: CAMP: TI, women engineers give back SMU students welcome Class of 2014 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Nyddia Hannah/ “Boxed In” freezeframe
Undocumented student, Edwin Santiago Romero-potential SMU transfer from Eastfield Community College interviewed for “Boxed In.”
BIG IDEAS: Mustangs address Dallas area issues CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
and ethnic groups in Dallas. They will create a literary magazine, called “Tale of One City,” comprised of poetry, art and prose of high school students from all over Dallas. With prompts about what life is like in Dallas, Quinn said the goal of the literary magazine is to promote dialogue among youth of different backgrounds. “Boxed In” and “Tale of One City” are both projects that were proposed this year. Matthew Gayers and M.C. Coreys’ project, Health Literacy Dallas, is a continuation from 2009, and is part of a movement for Health Literacy across the state. The project examines the
3
communication between patients and their health care provider. Ludden said this project was ambitious from its start and has continued growing. In the past year, they have completed two research projects: one with medical professionals and another with patients. The group has also spoken at regional and national health conferences and has coordinated with local hospitals to offer training to medical professionals about how to best communicate with the public. Big iDeas, capital “D” for Dallas’s nickname “Big D,” offers undergraduate students the opportunity to do independent research. Burgos-Soto said he appreciates this investment SMU has
made in its students. “It is so exciting to see students learn how to generate new knowledge when they are engaged in addressing the most important issues facing our society,” Ludden said. One of the goals of the program has been to expand the research on campus through student engagement. Ludden wanted to tap into student ideas about the challenges facing Dallas because he feels they have the most at stake. “I think it’s a really great idea to get SMU students involved in the community rather than just staying on campus,” Quinn said, because some “Students get caught up with college life.”
Corral director is SMU senior Stephanie Chung, who hopes “to adequately prepare all first-year students for an amazing upcoming year, and to help connect them to the abundance of resources, people and opportunities here at SMU.” This is not Chung’s first rodeo; she served as a Mustang Corral leader for the class of 2013 and enjoyed sharing her knowledge and love for SMU with the incoming first-years that she decided to return this fall. “I hope to gain more experience with working in student affairs and I look forward to being able to contribute to all the programs in the Office of New Student Orientation and Student Support, in addition tolearning and growing as an individual this summer,” she said. AARO sessions are jam-packed with information on SMU for both students and parents, including advising, residence hall tours, student and faculty panels, campus involvement and resource expos. Welcome activities, which include events like “Night At The Club” on August 21 and the Rotunda Passage and Convocation on August 22, begin after AARO.
on college applications. Gordon said she would like to further her learning, and “by the end of the week, be more knowledgeable about what the engineering field has to offer.” She hopes the camp will help her decide if she would like to pursue engineering as a career path. “I love to research and problem solv[ing],” Gordon said. “When my dad asks me what I want to be, I tell him, ‘I’m going to be the first person to discover a cure for AIDS.’” Ruggles said many of the girls in the camp are referred by counselors because they have taken many science and math courses and done well in them. SMU sophomore and civil engineering major, Scott Paulhus is a teaching assistant at the camp and helps Ruggles guide the girls in their
hands-on projects. “I’m here to help the girls further their learning of engineering and show them around campus,” Paulhus said. Julia Aycock is a senior at Desoto High School who hopes to be a biochemical engineer. Her mother registered her for the camp online after receiving notice of it from a counselor. “I’m open-minded and I like to create stuff. I think building this bridge might be my favorite activity,” Aycock said. “I hope this camp will give me more knowledge about what engineers do.” The camp is supported by women engineers and volunteers from Texas Instruments. A Texas Workforce Commission Grant funded this year’s camp, with support from Raytheon and Texas Instruments.
Shakespeare in the Park presents “Cymbeline” By JORDAN JENNINGS Sports Editor jjennings@smu.edu
This summer Shakespeare Dallas presents Shakespeare’s rarely performed, yet charmingly entertaining theatric performance-Cymbeline. Nestled in Samuell-Grand Park is an open- aired amphitheater where families and friends of all ages flock to see Director Rene Moreno and his cast’s adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s last romantic plays. Cymbeline is thick plotted play, rich in conceit and filled with suspense. Set in Britain, the play opens at King Cymbeline’s court. Imogen, played by Joanna Schellenber, the daughter of King Cymbeline ignores her father’s wishes to marry his stepson Cloten and instead marries Posthumus a lowborn gentlemen. The King sends Posthumus into exile in Italy where he meets a man Iachimo who convinces him that women are mischievous and easily seduced. Iachimo attempts to seduce Imogen, but fails and
instead lies to Posthumus about his relations with her. Posthumus orders his servant to kill Imogen. The servant spares Imogen’s life and advises her to disguise herself as a boy and search for her husband. The play continues as Imogen fearlessly journeys to find Posthumus, while Posthumus believes her to be dead. Britain is invaded by Rome and a war takes place. The quest to find truth and love continues to unfold as the play takes a drastic turn. Elements of love, lust, disguise, jealousy and warfare send actors and audience on a whirlwind adventure. Samuell-Grand Park is located just off of Tennison Parkway. The venue is set on a small hill providing convenient views of the stage wherever you may be seated. The audience is encouraged to bring their own seating such as a blanket or chair. Tickets may be purchased online at www.shakespearedallas.org. Children under 12 get in free, and discounts for students and seniors are included.
4
News
• Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Story of Addiction
The Daily Campus BOARD OF TRUSTEES
CARUTH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
Narcotics Anonymous members speak about their addictions at a local meeting By ELENA HARDING Features Editor eharding@smu.edu
Narcotics Anonymous is not a glamorous place. The small blue and white building is precariously located near two liquor stores and is across the street from a vacant lot. Upon entering the building, members are immediately engaged by the numerous posters and hand-written messages hanging on the wall. To the right of the entrance hangs a white board, celebrating the clean date and successful years of various members. Nancy* has an anniversary coming up. On March 31, she was clean for six years. Linda M. has her nine year anniversary on March 27. The 16 year anniversary for Jasmine W. passed on March 9. When seated, a slew of slogans are in view to read while waiting for the meeting to begin. “Surrender Is Only the Beginning Once We Surrender We Need To Learn How To Live In The Peace We Have Found,” or “ Humility is 3-5 min. Ego is 5-10-15 min. many have the need to share! -group conscience 6/10/00,” and “PLEASE LIMIT Your Sharing Time To 3 Minutes.” The group’s leader, Steve, and Sam, a member, sit at the table, Harry and another member are in the kitchen and Paul is sitting on the back wall wearing sunglasses with his head down and arms crossed. After waiting a few minutes, Steve announces it is time to start the Sunday, March 21, 8 p.m. meeting. Five seats out of 70 are occupied. The meeting starts with a group recitation of the serenity prayer: “God… Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change… The courage to change
the things I can And the wisdom to know the difference.” Now a moment of silence for “those still in pain.” Although it is not completely silent, because Harry and another member are running the water in the kitchen and their muffled conversation can be heard. Steve says the meeting is for recovering addicts who meet regularly to help one another with their sobriety. Harry has returned to his seat, holding a wet towel. He is wearing a black winter cap with the plastic store tag still attached, a camouflage jacket, a dingy white t-shirt, a medical bracelet, gray sweatpants and white tennis shoes. While Steve and Sam read aloud, Harry wipes his face, neck and ears with the towel. He pauses occasionally to snort, blow his nose or look at his bandaged finger, which has a spot of blood. When Steve and Sam finish their readings they ask Harry if he will read. He agrees and takes off his hat to read “Just for Today,” which, as its title suggests, concerns approaching recovery from addiction one day at a time. One last reading by Steve and it is time for introductions. “Harold, addict.” “I’m Sam, and I’m an addict.” It is now Paul’s turn, and he is reluctant to speak. “Corner,” Steve says. “I’m just listening to ya’ll. I’m just waiting. I’m trying to go home, that’s what I’m trying to do. I’ve got a long way to go.” Steve says, “You’re sitting in on a meeting. You’ve still got to identify yourself.” “My name is Paul, and I identify myself as an addict. I’m Paul, and I’m kind of a newcomer to N.A. … I’m fully in recovery… I’m struggling with
my own actions.” “I’m Leo.” The meeting is now over and it is time to share. Sam says she likes the smaller meetings because she feels more comfortable sharing. She is 20 days clean, and attributes her success to a higher power. She says she was living like an animal, and through the N.A. community she has gained the strength to look herself in the mirror. “That’s a big deal for a junkie like me.” Sam captures the attention of everyone in the room, including Paul who now moves to sit at the table with everyone else. After San finishes, he talks about how he uses drugs and alcohol to medicate and numb himself. He says God kept him alive, talked to him and told him to go to church. “I’m sick, but I haven’t lost grace.” While Paul speaks, Harry, who is homeless, rearranges his belongings. He goes through his pockets and his white, transparent garbage bag. He has two disposable razors, which he gives to Paul, napkins, an empty mustard bottle, a plastic spoon, garbage and a light bulb. Sam refreshes her coffee and Steve looks at the time. Paul has broken the three-minute rule. He has been talking for 17.5 minutes. After everyone else has spoken, Steve starts sharing. He says he used to drink exclusively during the weekend. That was how it started. When he got to college, there was a party every night and every day. There would be a party on Thursday, and on Monday he says he would still be partying. Twelve years ago Steve went to his first N. A. meeting, and today, he leads them. *The names have been changed to protect the anonymity of the N.A. members.
Photo Courtesy of SMU Press
Carl Sewell, center, accepts a proclamation to recognize his service to the University from SMU President R. Gerald Turner, right. New Board Chair Caren Protho, left, began her term June 1.
1966 grad Sewell, SMU Trustee chair honored at board meeting By GLORIA SALINAS News Editor gosalinas@smu.edu
Carl Sewell, chair of Sewell Automotive Companies and outgoing chair of the SMU Board of Trustees was honored at the May 7 board meeting for his achievements and contributions to the university. Sewell, who has served on the board since 1996, was vice chair from 2004-06, chair-elect from 200506 and board chair from 2006-10. He will remain a board member, cochairing the Trusteeship Committee, and serving on committees for Academic Policies and Planning, Athletics and Executive/Personnel/ Compensation. A 1966 graduate of SMU, Sewell was recognized for his financial support of the university, his achievement in helping to place SMU as a leader in higher education
in the Southwest and becoming a nationally recognized university. According to an SMU press release, Carl Sewell has led the Board in establishing and supporting a goal of raising SMU’s academic profile and providing competitive scholarships to attract greater numbers of high-achieving students. He and his wife Peggy have provided major funding for the President’s Scholars program, the University’s highest merit award providing full tuition, study abroad and other benefits. Sewell has raised millions in university campaign efforts and is now one of five co-chairs leading SMU Unbridled: The Second Century Campaign. To date, the campaign has raised $432 million.
“This building will be home to most of the Lyle School’s advanced teaching classrooms. Each of these classrooms has the capability to distribute the content to any location on the planet,” he said. “With this unique ability, we will be able to offer our academic programs to students not only across the nation, but across the globe.” He also said that programs like The Center of Engineering Leadership, which will provide each student with individualized leadership training, will set SMU engineering students apart from others in the field. “No other engineering school in the nation has committed itself to providing world class leadership development to all of its students,” Orsak said. “Because of this unique center, Lyle graduates will be sought after for their extraordinary combination of engineering skills, leadership skills and entrepreneurial spirit.” Caruth Hall, which cost more than $26 million to construct, was built as part of SMU Unbridled: The Second Century Campaign—the largest fundraising initiative in the school’s history. The campaign’s goal is to raise $750 million to improve “student quality, faculty and academic excellence and campus experience,” according to the campaign’s website. The building will house The Caruth Institute for Engineering Education, The Center for Engineering Leadership, The Hunter and Stephanie Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity, The Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® Lab, The Palmer Engineering Leadership Complex, the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and the Departments of Engineering Management, Information and Systems. “This spacious new building for the Lyle School presents the best of both worlds,” said SMU President R. Gerald Turner. “Outwardly, it reflects the University’s architectural tradition, yet inside contains all of the innovations and upgrades needed to help our students and faculty excel and to extend their expertise to solutions to world problems. It’s the perfect example of a local resource that will have a global impact.”
Arts & Entertainment
The Daily Campus MOVIE REVIEW
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 •
MEADOWS
Toy Story 3 meets expectations Museums announce three-year partnership By JESSICA HUSEMAN Editor in Chief jhuseman@smu.edu
When the first “Toy Story” hit theaters in 1995, the tickets flew out of box offices like candy. No one could get enough of the ultra-creative flick that showed the secret life of all of our favorite toys. It quickly became my favorite movie, and I proudly sported a Buzz Lightyear backpack to my very first day of first grade (along with the action figure securely tucked away in an inside pocket, of course). So, needless to say I went into “Toy Story 3” with rather high expectations. After all, what was I supposed to do with all my old Toy Story gear if the movie was terrible? I would just have to have thrown it all away in disappointment. But then what would I do once my old action figures sprung to life and had to live out the rest of their days in a junkyard? The movie had to be good. Thankfully, the movie did not disappoint. It has something for everyone, regardless of whether or not you’ve seen the first two, and the humor is basically ageless. If you have seen the first two movies, however, watch for understated references. For instance, Sid, the nasty boy from the first movie, makes a comeback as the garbage collector, but this is only obvious if you recognize that he is wearing the same skull and crossbones shirt that he did as a child. And it is this Sid that inadvertently sets the toys on off on their exciting adventure. Andy is grown up and ready to go off to college. His mother gives him the option of putting his beloved old toys in the attic, donating them to a local daycare, or throwing them away. Andy, reminiscing on the fun he used to have with his old pals, chooses to put them in the attack. But, in a mix up, Andy’s mom grabs the bag that the toys have been stored in and puts it on the curb with the trash. Just before Sid is able to nab them up to throw in the back of his garbage truck, the toys make a hasty escape. Assuming that Andy meant to throw them away,
By LAUREN SMART
Arts & Entertainment Editor lsmart@smu.edu
Photo courtesy of Associated Press
Jessie, Buzz and Woody help create the magic of “Toy Story 3.”
they become angry and stow away in the box of donations headed for the local daycare. While the movie is definitely humorous, there is a clear undertone of sadness from all of the toys, even the ones Andy’s toys meet at the daycare. Everyone is sick of being left behind by their former owners and they want to be loved and played with again. No one more so than the ring leader of the toys living at the daycare, Lots o’ Hugs Bear, called “Lotso.” And this is where I become disappointed with the movie. While Lotso is an entertaining character, he is basically an exact replica of Stinky Pete from Toy Story 2. He reels the toys in, making them think that he is there to help, before turning on them and putting them in physical danger. The only difference is that Stinky Pete was a small old man with a pick, and Lotso is a large teddy bear that smells like strawberries. The plot was also very similar to Toy Story 2. The toys go on an inadvertent adventure, only to embark on the perilous journey back the Andy’s house. The characters live up to their old personas: Woody is moral and sensible; Buzz is heroic; Jessie is a fun-loving cowgirl who doesn’t grasp the idea of personal boundaries, etc. So, there is very little character depth present that wasn’t already expected, which, in all honestly, was sort of boring. But, all of that being said, the movie
was still a lot of fun. The aliens that Andy pulled out of the vending machine at Pizza Planet all that time ago are still hilarious, and are probably the funniest characters in the entire movie. Their awe over “the claw” is still present, and it comes out in the most interesting of ways. The relationship between Buzz and Jessie is still uncomfortable and funny, just like any good awkward attraction, and the wonder that is Pixar still manages to pull it out in the end so that everyone leaves the theater with some warm fuzzies. The most interesting part of the movie, though, was actually being able to see the time that had passed since 1995. This isn’t one of those sequels where the director pretends that all the characters are the same age and the plot goes on as if the characters just took a bit of a nap. Andy is 17 and college bound, his little sister is a walking talking preteen who is planning her eventual takeover of her older brother’s soon to be vacant room, and Woody and Buzz talk with all of the wisdom that toys can only achieve through years of watching their owner grow into adulthood. This movie is a definite must-see, and will pull at your heartstrings and make you want to relive your childhood all over again. I might just dust off my Buzz Lightyear backpack and my Mr. Potato Head.
The Meadows Museum announced June11 that they are bringing Spanish art even closer to Dallas by launching a three-year partnership with the Prado Museum in Madrid. This collaboration has many benefits for the SMU museum, such as the loans of major paintings from the Prado, the first —El Greco’s “Pentecost” will be on display beginning Sept. 12. The partnership also includes an internship exchange agreement between both the two museums, interdisciplinary research at SMU and many other community programs. “After frequent visits to Madrid in the 1950s, museum founder Algur H. Meadows had a vision to establish a ‘Prado on the Prairie,’, and built an incredible collection of Spanish art that forms the foundation of the museum today,” said Meadows Museum Director Mark Roglán in a press release. “This new partnership is another step in realizing his aspiration.” The first manifestation of this partnership will be in the form of two exhibits, “Spanish Muse: A Contemporary Response,” and “Sultans and Saints: Spain’s Confluence of Cultures.” Works in the collections will range from El Greco to more contemporary Spanish artists such as Eve Sussman and Claudio Bravo. El Greco’s “Pentecost” will be the first loan presented to Meadows, beginning Sept. 12. For years, the Meadows Museum has been the one of the top art institutions in the U.S. for Spanish art, so for students interested in Spanish culture this partnership with Spain’s premier art museum is exciting. Eric Park and Drew Konow both participated in the SMU-in-Madrid program last fall. “The best part of my study abroad experience was the opportunity to visit the Museo del Prado weekly as part of an art history class,” Park, senior
accounting and Spanish double major, said. Konow, senior religious studies and foreign languages and literature double major, echoed Park’s excitement. “What is so great about the Spanish artwork showcased at the Prado is how each piece is dripping with influence from Spanish history and intellectual movements. I think it would be a once- in- a- lifetime opportunity for students of art history to intern at both Meadows and the Prado,” he said. In the past, Meadows has lent several of its works to exhibits at the Prado, so it seems almost natural that the Prado is now returning the favor. Many of the works that Meadows will be showcasing in the next three years will be traveling to America for the first time. “The fact that SMU is being shown this amount of respect from a museum filled with the greatest artists and pieces in history truly legitimizes the mission of the Meadows Museum,” Park said., “It will give our school a worldwide footprint of which I can be very proud.” For more information, visit smu. edu/meadows.
5
BOOKS
Summer must-reads By JORDAN JENNINGS Sports Editor jjennings@smu.edu
The Help By Kathryn Stockett Set in Mississippi in 1962, Stockett tells the story of three very different women who risk their reputations, and unite to create a movement that will forever change their small town. Skeeter, a 22-year-old college graduate, Aibileen, a black maid, and Minny, a Mississippi firecracker attempt to break the norms of southern prejudice. The Passage By Justin Cronin A security breach at a U.S. government facility results in a monstrous disaster. Darkness and death rapidly destroy civilization. FBI agent Brad Wolgast seeks to protect six-year-old orphan Amy Harper Bellafonte, a refugee of this horrible scientific accident, as fate and fear send them on a suspenseful journey of survival and endurance.
6
Sports
• Tuesday, June 29, 2010
The Daily Campus
FOOTBALL
Beachum, Robinson named to Texas Football’s all-state team By JORDAN JENNINGS Sports Editor jjennings@smu.edu
Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine has recently named Kelvin Beachum, Jr. and Aldrick Robinson as part of the 2010 All-Texas College First-Team Offense in its 51st annual edition. Teammates Taylor Thompson and Josh Leribeus also were honored, with Thompson being named to secondteam defense, and Leribeus to secondteam offense. Beachum, a junior offensive lineman from Mexia, Texas, has started in all 24 career games for the Mustangs. Last season, Beachum was a second-team All-Conference USA selection and one of 12 student athletes to receive the fall C-USA spirit of service award. During his sophomore year, Beachum blocked for an SMU offense that passed for a school-record 3,666 yards. This is the second time Beachum has been named to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football’s All-Texas Team. In high school, he also was a Dave Campbell’s Texas Football “player to watch.”
Robinson, a senior wide receiver from Waxahachie, Texas, caught nine passes for a season-high 176 yards in SMU’s Hawaii Bowl win. He tied the record for longest pass play in school history in 2009 bringing in a 96-yard touchdown pass against East Carolina. Robinson finished the 2009 season with 47 catches for 800 yards and five touchdowns. He also recently was named to ESPN.com’s non-automatic qualifiers (non-AQ) all-bowl team. Like Beachum, Robinson was mentioned as Dave Campbell’s Texas Football “player to watch” during his high school career. Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine gave the SMU Mustangs an honorable mention in the 2010 FSN Preseason Top 25, along with 12 other teams that received votes. The 2010 Mustang football season kicks off against Texas Tech in Lubbock on Sept. 5. The game will be televised on ESPN. Dave Campbell’s Texas Football is an annual publication that previews every team in Texas from professional football teams to the more than 1,200 high schools, which have football programs.
Photo courtesy of SMU Athletics
SMU senior wide receiver Aldrick Robinson, left, and junior left tackle Kelvin Beachum, Jr. are shown in action during the 2009 football season. The duo has been named to the 2010 All-Texas College First-Team Offense by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine.
COLLEGES
USC hit with severe NCAA sanctions By AMBER HARRIS Associate Sports Editor aharris@smu.edu
The NCAA has issued severe sanctions against the University of Southern California’s football and basketball teams due to recruiting violations that the NCAA deemed to be “lacking institutional control.” Former football head coach Pete Carroll and basketball coach Tim Floyd have not been penalized for the sports program’s punishment. According to The New York Times, Carroll stated that he was “absolutely
shocked and disappointed in the findings of the NCAA.” Both head coaches left the university within the past year. Lane Kiffin, who recently replaced Carroll as head coach, told the Associated Press he believes the punishment given to the Trojans is too severe. The football team will not be able to participate in bowl games during the 2010 or 2011 season. All victories beginning in 2004 that Heisman winner Reggie Bush participated in, including the 2005 Orange Bowl win,
which led to the 2005 national title, were taken away. USC is the first team banned from bowl games since Alabama during the 2002 and 2003 seasons. USC’s basketball team’s penalties include giving up their wins from the 2006-2007 season, as well as forfeiting a scholarship. The team is also banned from the postseason in 2010 and the university must return the $206,200 received from the NCAA tournament. According to The New York Times, this is the harshest penalty given to
a sports program since SMU’s twoyear “death penalty” in 1986. SMU has struggled to rebuild the program, taking more than 20 years to lead to the Mustangs’ recovery when they won the bowl game in December 2009. Dennis Franchione, University of Alabama’s coach, believes USC’s punishment will set the program back several years, mirroring the negative impact on SMU’s team performance before 2009. USC has appealed the penalties the university feels are too severe.
Sports
The Daily Campus
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 •
SOCCER
FORD STADIUM
Sophomore player, father file fraud, breach of contract suit By JORDAN JENNINGS
BASKETBALL
Scoreboard getting hi-def upgrade By JORDAN JENNINGS
Sports Editor jjennings@smu.edu
Sophomore women’s soccer player, Emily Hairston and her father James Hairston have filed a lawsuit against both SMU and the Mustangs women’s soccer coach, Brent Erwin claiming fraud and breach of contract. Hairston claims that Erwin began recruiting her when she was a sophomore at Highland Park High School. According to CBS 11 TV report, Erwin supposedly promised Hairston a full-ride scholarship covering the costs of tuition and housing if she attended SMU. In addition to financial aid and scholarships, Hairston was asked to help recruit members of her club soccer team. In high school as a defensive player, Hairston was an all-district honoree in 2006 and 2007 and received an honorable mention player of the week nominee her freshman year from The Dallas Morning News. Hairston began playing for the Mustangs in the fall of 2009. After three weeks of classes, Hairston was informed that she owed $25,000 to cover first-semester tuition costs. “I was cheated,” Hairston told CBS 11, who chose to play for SMU over other colleges. SMU officials reportedly agreed to pay Hairston approximately $17,000 towards her first semester, but made her pay for the remainder of the year. During the 2009 season Hairston played in 13 games and played a season-high of 85 minutes against Portland. Hairston, who is still currently enrolled at SMU, filed a lawsuit against the school and Erwin on May 22 demanding that she be paid for the cost of attending the university, plus damages. “I just want my scholarship. I just
7
Sports Editor jjennings@smu.edu
SMU’s Gerald J. Ford Stadium is getting a facelift. A new Daktronics integrated video and audio system will replace the stadium’s 10-yearold scoreboard. Daktronics has been hired to design, manufacture and install a new High Definition-15 technology that includes a new show control system, a complete HD front-end video production system and a custom sound system. The new 32-ft. high by 45-ft. wide video display system will feature a tighter resolution and improved image quality, operating as both a single- and multiple-zone display. Multiple zones will simultaneously provide a variety of information to fans, such as statistics, live video feed and other graphics. Daktronics’ new show control system — considered to be one of the best in the industry — will accompany the front-end video board’s four new HD cameras, a HD productions switcher and three channels of HD replay capabilities. In addition, Daktronic speakers, amplifiers and an audio control system will deliver high-impact entertainment.
Photo illustration courtesy of SMU Athletics
SMU’s new, high-definition video scoreboard will measure 32-feet high by 45-feet wide.
“This is another sign of SMU’s commitment to athletics,” SMU athletic director Steve Orsini said in a recent press release. The new video and audio system is part of SMU’s $60 million athletic facilities plan. In the past four years, SMU has built the Crum Center — a basketball-only practice facility — and the Turpin Tennis Stadium. Both facilities opened in 2008. The SMU Payne Stewart Golf Learning Center is currently under construction and renovations to Moody Coliseum are under consideration. The new scoreboard and audio system are expected to be installed in Ford Stadium by the start of the 2010 SMU football season. SMU’s first home game will be Sept. 11 against the University of AlabamaBirmingham.
Photo courtesy of SMU Athletics
SMU women’s soccer player Emily Hairston, above, and her father are involved in a legal battle with the University and her soccer coach Brent Erwin over supposed promises made by the coach concerning a full athletic scholarship.
want my school paid for like I was promised,” she told CBS 11. According the NCAA rules, coaches are prohibited from asking prospective athletes to help recruit team members. However, any verbal agreements made in regards to athletic scholarships between coaches and prospective athletes are non-binding. Erwin became the Mustangs women’s head soccer coach in
January 2007. He is about to start his third season. In a prepared statement, SMU officials said, “The claims are incorrect, but because the matter is in litigation, we will reserve our comments for the appropriate legal venue. We look forward to furnishing information through proper court procedures.”
FUNDRAISING
Athletics receive record donations The SMU Athletic department has reached a new fundraising record of more than $5.3 million in annual gifts this past year. The previous record was set in fiscal year 2009 when SMU garnered nearly $4.5 million. Including capital and other gifts, SMU received more than $9 million in fiscal year 2010. According to Assistant Director
of Media Relations Brad Sutton, “the funds will be used for operations, capital projects and other expenditures.” In the past two years, the annual giving has increased by 59 percent. SMU attributes this increase to the arrival of coach June Jones in 2008, field improvement, the hard working development staff and Mustang Club volunteers.
CASEY LEE / The Daily Campus
SMU guard Derek Williams goes up for a layup against Rice.
Globetrotters draft Williams By AMBER HARRIS Associate Sports Editor aharris@smu.edu
Former SMU basketball standout Derek Williams has been drafted by the Harlem Globetrotters in the team’s 2010 draft class. Williams, who led the Mustangs in scoring (16.6 points per game), was the fourth-leading scorer in Confference USA. The Queens, N.Y., native also was named to C-USA’s all-conference third team. He also became the 17th player at SMU to score 500 points in one season, and the 18th player to exceed 800 points in two seasons. Williams led SMU to a win against Memphis last season with a game-high 25 points and won an award from the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The Harlem Globetrotters have played in 120 countries and territories on six continents, entertaining more than 130 million fans entering their 85th season. Other college basketball players who were drafted include: Mark Titus from Ohio State, Marqus Blakley from the University of Vermont and Chris Roberts from Bradley University. All draft picks have been invited to training camp in the fall.
8
Opinion
• Tuesday, June 29, 2010
The Daily Campus
Here comes Justice Kagen COLUMNIST
A Publication of Student Media Company, Inc. Editorial Staff Editor in Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jessica Huseman Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Katie Simon News Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gloria Salinas Associate News Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meredith Carlton Arts & Entertainment Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lauren Smart Associate Arts & Entertainment Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laura Cook Style Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sarah Bray Sports Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jordan Jennings Associate Sports Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amber Harris Health & Fitness Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jovin Lim Opinion Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adriana Martinez Chief Copy Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jessica Hawks Copy Editors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ariana Garza, Pat Traver, Tashika Varma Photo Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Danser Layout Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Helena Bologna Online Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Josh Parr The Daily Campus, a student newspaper at Southern Methodist University is operated by Student Media Company, Inc., Hughes-Trigg Student Center 3140 Dyer Street, Suite 314 Dallas, TX 75205. The Daily Campus is published daily Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the academic semester. For local, national, and classified display advertising, call 214-768-4111. For classified word advertising call 214-768-4554.
Student Media Company, Inc. Staff Executive Director/Editorial Adviser. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jay Miller Associate Director/Business Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dyann Slosar Advertising Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diana L. Denton Operations/Production Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jennifer A. Cannon
The Daily Campus Mail Subscription Rates One year (Academic year) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $110 Order forms can downloaded at smudailycampus.com/dcsubscriptions/ To charge by VISA, Mastercard, Discover, or Pony Express, call 214-768-4545. Send check orders and address changes to Student Media Company, Inc., PO BOX 456, Dallas, TX 75275-0456. Entire contents © 2010 The Daily Campus.
dc@smu.edu • http://www.smudailycampus.com SMU Box 456, Dallas, TX 75275 214-768-4555 • Fax: 214-768-8787
Kevin Eaton
The retirement of Justice John Paul Stevens has given President Obama the opportunity to nominate a second person to the Supreme Court in a twoyear span. After a few short weeks of suspense, current Solicitor General Elena Kagan was chosen by Obama to fill the void left by Stevens’s departure
from the Court. With the announcement by Patrick Leahy, the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, that Kagan’s confirmation hearings are set to begin on the 28th of June, we are given the opportunity to evaluate Obama’s choice more than a month before her testimony before Congress. Although there will likely be criticism from those on the extreme left and right, Obama’s selection of Kagan, if she is confirmed, should be viewed as a lukewarm victory for liberals and with a sigh of relief from conservatives because the alternatives could have been worse for partisans on both sides. Even though Kagan was Obama’s ultimate choice, two other notable front runners are worth mentioning, especially in the unlikely event that the confirmation hearings sour and Obama is forced to nominate a replacement. Merrick Garland, a judge on the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, and Diane Wood, who sits on the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit,
were two other individuals identified as possible replacements for Stevens. Garland has been seen as an extremely viable candidate because he is the least controversial candidate and a moderate judge. Diane Wood, on the other hand, has an extremely long paper trail and would likely face significant opposition by those on the right because of her opinions in Hope Clinic v. Ryan and NOW v. Scheidler, which clearly demonstrated her support for the abortion right. This concern would be furthered since she clerked for Justice Blackmun, the author of Roe v. Wade, and later wrote an article supporting his logic in the case. Thus, Kagan probably seemed the easier pick to Obama because she had already undergone Senate confirmation hearings for her role as SG by the same Senate that would now confirm her nomination to the Supreme Court, and would likely be on the Court longer since she is eight years younger than Garland and 10 years younger than Wood. In addition, Kagan is the first woman dean of Harvard Law School and the first female Solicitor General. If confirmed, she would also represent another first: the first time three women have sat on the Supreme Court at the same time. All of these factors likely contributed to her getting the nod over Merrick Garland and Diane Wood. For liberals, Kagan’s nomination then should be welcomed. While she does not lean as far left as some would like, she would most likely fall within the liberal bloc on the Court and agree to most, if not all, of the President’s agenda for the Court. With President Obama facing continuous
COMMENTARY
Kevin Eaton is a junior political science, public policy and economics major. He can be reached for comments or questions at kceaton@smu.edu.
CARTOON
A student’s perspective on getting “organized” I
t is very exciting to live on your own for the first time in your life and be able to manage your own schedule. I remember that feeling when I was a freshman. It was exhilarating. But, then I asked myself, “Now what?” I mean, there has to be more to college than just studying and going to class, right? I really believe that students who go to college are people who have set out to make a difference. At SMU, I knew that I had to Joseph Esau find an opportunity to get involved and make a difference in our academic community. At first, I started out as the Intramurals Chair for the Hilltop Scholars Community. That experience was very rewarding as I got to meet and interact with the people in my community and form lasting friendships that I still have today. Plus, I got to play all my favorite sports with other residents in my community. I then enrolled in the Leadership Certificate Program offered by the LCI (Leadership and Community Involvement) office. This allowed me to develop skills as an effective leader. I learned all sort of leadership techniques from various leaders around the Dallas community that really helped me understand how to make a difference in my community. But, the biggest opportunity that enabled me to get involved here was Student Senate. I was attending a leadership involvement fair here, when I met then-Vice President Patrick Kobler. I asked him about what exactly Student Senate does. He explained to me about that Student Senate was the foundation of all student organizations on campus. Some of the responsibilities include allocating funds to student organizations, chartering new student organizations, as well as initiating action on student concerns. For me, that was my calling to get involved and make a difference at SMU. So I ended up joining Student Senate as a member of the Student Concerns committee, working on how to make student life here at SMU better. I later served two years as a Lyle School Senator as well, representing my constituents in the Engineering School. It was as a Senator that I truly learned how important it is for students to have a voice in our student affairs. I also saw the true colors of SMU, learning how unique we as a school are. From the controversial issues that we faced last year, to the wide variety of organizations planning special and unique events, it was truly an honor to help so many students achieve their goals and passions. Today, I am the Parliamentarian of the Student Senate for the 20102011 school year, so I continue to be involved here at SMU. If there’s anything that you can take away from this opinion, I hope it is this — you can learn to seek out your passions here at SMU. There are so many impressive organizations and unique people here that I find it impossible for someone to not make a difference here at SMU. The only requisite is your effort. So please, don’t be afraid to make a difference in not only your life, but in those of your peers, as well. One day, you may be the change the world needs.
scrutiny from the healthcare bill, and with the results of recent primaries suggesting a possible weakness in the Democratic Party, Obama needs a more moderate liberal so as to avoid invoking the ire of those on the right and an ultimate defeat in the Senate hearings. In addition, the historical precedent set by her confirmation would also be a significant victory for liberals. However, those on the right should also breathe a sigh of relief because the situation that Obama found himself in necessitated the nomination of a moderate liberal to the Court and not an ideologue. From a conservative perspective, this nomination is the lesser of two evils and should elicit a sigh of relief that someone like Wood was not a feasible candidate for nomination. All in all, Elena Kagan will likely face some conservative opposition in the Senate during her hearings, but it will most likely be purely theatrical and symbolic as she will almost certainly be confirmed. Since the ideological coalitions will remain intact, as Kagan would represent replacing a liberal with a liberal, and because the Democrats, at least temporarily, have a near supermajority in the Senate, I think it is safe to extend the heartiest of congratulations to the future Justice Kagan.
COLUMNIST
Joseph Esau is a senior electrical engineering and mathematics major. He is also the Parliamentarian of the SMU Student Senate. He can be reached for comments or questions at jesau@smu.edu.
SUBMISSION POLICY What good is freedom of speech if you’re not going to use it? Would you like to see your opinion published in The Daily Campus? Is there something happening on campus or in the world you really want to say something about? Then The Daily Campus is looking for you! E-mail your columns and letters to dcoped@ smudailycampus.com or to the commentary editor. Letters should not exceed 200 words in length and columns should be 500-700 words. Submis-
sions must be in either text format (.txt) or rich text format (.rtf). For verification, letters and columns must include the author’s name, signature, major or department, e-mail address and telephone number. The Daily Campus will not print anonymous letters. A photograph will be required to publish columns. The editor reserves the right to edit for length, spelling, grammar and style.
Cartoon by Lydia Hollifield
Developing a global perspective By LaiYee Leong Guest Columnist
“Get a passport!” urged Commencement speaker, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, this past spring. Travel, he told SMU graduates, gives insight that makes us better citizens of this country and of the planet. Ambassador Kirk has it exactly right. Frankly, I think it’s advice students ought to hear, not at graduation but at matriculation. In fact, as undergraduates, you need two kinds of passports. Not only do you need the travel document the U.S. State Department issues, you also need a mental passport: a traveler’s mind. You should be thinking and looking outward. Not later, but right now. Why? What’s so important and urgent about being outward looking? The phrase you’ll hear again and again at SMU is “global perspective.” What does it mean? Why has SMU’s Centennial Strategic Plan identified “broadening global perspectives” as one of its key goals? Yes, globalization has something to do with it. Globalization demands a whole new way of engaging with the world around you. Let me explain. Globalization describes the high level of integration that now characterizes the world’s economic activities. From food supply chains to high finance, people on a daily basis rely on goods and services from all over the world. Humanity has become interdependent as never before. Technological innovations and falling barriers to movement are making the world “flat.” That’s award-winning journalist Thomas Friedman’s metaphor for rapidly increasing economic competition. Individual jobs are gained and lost, and national economies rise and fall, in unprecedented ways. At the same time, such a borderless environment allows people to share their ideas at dizzying speeds across wide distances. There are astonishing scientific breakthroughs. Entrepreneurial opportunities abound. It is likely you will change careers many times in your life, and some will be jobs we cannot even yet imagine.
What’s in it for you? If you can discern the dynamic forces at work in this brave new world, you have a critical advantage. Will you be the next Blake Mycoskie, the SMU graduate whose visit to Argentina inspired him to start an “ethical shoe” business? It outfits poor children with free footwear while creating a name brand that rakes in millions.
“
As undergraduates, you need two kinds of passports. Not only do you need the travel document the U.S. State Department issues, you also need a mental passport: a traveler’s mind.
”
Having a global perspective, however, isn’t only about economics. With competition comes conflict. People fight over limited resources. With growth and economic crisis come social dislocation and political instability. People are challenged by changing levels of income, immigration, and new expectations of government. With extensive interactions come misunderstanding and disagreement, sometimes to explosive effect. Those who believe their cultures are threatened occasionally respond in violent ways. Remember riots in France where farmers trashed McDonald’s outlets?
These consequences directly affect us. Ordinary citizens suffer or die because of conflict. We are vulnerable to crime across borders. We experience terrorist attacks from jihadi networks. Isolation is not an option, and willful ignorance is downright dangerous. Resolving these problems requires a keen perception of their root causes. You must grasp how societies are closely linked. You can’t limit yourself to knowing only local or even national issues. As never before, you must learn how the geography, history, and cultures of various parts of the world all hang together. Such broad knowledge isn’t only about understanding and connecting events. You also need to contemplate worldviews very different from your own. For example, to understand why the fight against terrorism faces immense obstacles, students in my Islamic Politics course consider the multiple factors that complicate how other people view U.S. foreign policy. Standing in another’s place takes imagination grounded in knowledge. The global perspective also cultivates an appreciation for human diversity. It creates empathy for individuals whose life experiences differ from your own. It builds tolerance for varied and unexpected ways of doing things. These qualities enable you to make ethical decisions and help you make the world a better place. Without them, your best intentions would founder, or even worsen the problem. How would you begin to acquire a global perspective at SMU? Start by seeking out the unfamiliar. Learn about Africa, the Middle East, or Southeast Asia. Master a foreign language. Read literature by authors unknown to you. Befriend international students. Sign up for study abroad. Get your passports, both the paper one and the mental one. Develop a global perspective – from day one.
Professor LaiYee Leong is the 2009-2010 Tower Center post-doctoral teaching fellow. She can be reached for comments or questions at lleong@smu.edu.
The Daily Campus
Advertisment
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 •
9
10
• Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Advertisment
The Daily Campus